Abstract: A rack adapter for bicycle fenders, including a tubular body having a first flange at a first end, and a second flange at a second, opposing end. A convex portion extends between the first and second flanges, the convex portion having an upper surface shaped to engage a wheel clamping member of a bicycle rack. The tubular body further includes a concave portion having a lower surface contoured to engage a wheel of a bicycle, and an inner passage defined between the convex portion and the concave portion. The inner passage extends through the tubular body from the first end to the second end and is configured to receive a fender of a bicycle.

Abstract: A rack adapter for bicycle fenders, including a tubular body having a first flange at a first end, and a second flange at a second, opposing end. A convex portion extends between the first and second flanges, the convex portion having an upper surface shaped to engage a wheel clamping member of a bicycle rack. The tubular body further includes a concave portion having a lower surface contoured to engage a wheel of a bicycle, and an inner passage defined between the convex portion and the concave portion. The inner passage extends through the tubular body from the first end to the second end and is configured to receive a fender of a bicycle.

Abstract: A crossbar clamp actuator of a crossbar-to-vehicle coupler may include a horizontally traveling wedge block having a ramped, downward-facing first slide surface, and a wedge follower having a second slide surface in frictional contact with the first slide surface of the traveling wedge block. Substantially horizontal repositioning of the traveling wedge block may cause the ramped first slide surface to urge the wedge follower downward, thereby actuating a crossbar clamp.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to a multi-use adaptable hitch-mounted load support system. A vehicle rack system is disclosed, including a tongue portion configured to engage a hitch receiver behind a vehicle, and a lower crossbeam structure connected to the tongue portion. A lower end portion of a mast is connected to the lower crossbeam structure, and an upper crossbeam structure is connected to an upper end portion of the mast. A first pair of arms extend horizontally from the lower crossbeam structure, and a second pair of arms extend horizontally from the upper crossbeam structure. Each pair of arms is configured to support a recreational equipment carrier.

Abstract: Saddle mounts for supporting a boat, such as a fishing kayak, above a crossbar attached to a vehicle, a vehicle rack including the saddle mounts, and methods of assembling a vehicle rack including the saddle mounts. An illustrative saddle mount may comprise an encircling member configured to be attached to a crossbar. The encircling member may have a horizontal bottom section and a top section. The top section may include a medial portion and a lateral portion. The medial portion may have an incline of less than about ten degrees, and the lateral portion may have an incline steeper than the incline of the medial portion. Another illustrative saddle mount may comprise an encircling member including a rib, such as a recessed rib, for providing load strength. The rib may be elongated along an encircling path followed by the encircling member.

Abstract: A selectable pitch crossbar-to-vehicle coupler may include a crossbar clamp having a first mating surface that is selectively receivable on a second mating surface of the coupler in a plurality of discrete orientations. Each of the discrete orientations may correspond to a respective angle of the crossbar relative to the coupler. The angle may be a pitch angle.

Abstract: A fork mount upright bicycle carrier may include an elongate base having a pair of parallel rails and a fork mount device. A rear wheel receiver may be adjustably coupled in sliding engagement with a first slot in each of the rails, and a rear crossbar clamp may be adjustably coupled in a second slot in each of the rails, such that the receiver and the clamp are capable of overlapping adjustment ranges. The fork mount device may include a fixed jaw and a pivoting jaw for clamping onto a transverse member of a bicycle fork.

Abstract: A crossbar clamp actuator of a crossbar-to-vehicle coupler may include a horizontally traveling wedge block having a ramped, downward-facing first slide surface, and a wedge follower having a second slide surface in frictional contact with the first slide surface of the traveling wedge block. Substantially horizontal repositioning of the traveling wedge block may cause the ramped first slide surface to urge the wedge follower downward, thereby actuating a crossbar clamp.

Abstract: A coupling assembly for connecting a rooftop cargo carrying system to a vehicle may include a coupler body including a crossbar clamp configured to be coupled to a crossbar. The crossbar may have a long axis oriented transverse to a direction of vehicle travel. The coupling assembly may include a base portion configured to abut a roof of the vehicle and a clip retention and adjustment assembly. The clip retention and adjustment assembly may include (a) a carriage pivotally mounted to the coupler body and configured to rotate around a rotation axis oriented parallel to the direction of vehicle travel, the carriage having a slot for receiving a clip along a translation axis perpendicular to the rotation axis, (b) a catch configured to releasably engage an aperture in the clip, (c) a first actuator configured to rotate the carriage around the rotation axis, and (d) a second actuator configured to move the catch and the clip relative to the coupler body along the translation axis.

Abstract: An adjustable truck bed extender is disclosed, including a hitch mount configured for attachment to a vehicle, and a mast structure having a first end pivotally coupled to the hitch mount. The truck bed extender further includes a crossbar member coupled to a second end of the mast structure, perpendicular to the mast structure. A length of the mast structure and an angle of the mast structure relative to the hitch mount are separately adjustable.

Abstract: A crossbar clamp actuator of a crossbar-to-vehicle coupler may include a horizontally traveling wedge block having a ramped, downward-facing first slide surface, and a wedge follower having a second slide surface in frictional contact with the first slide surface of the traveling wedge block. Substantially horizontal repositioning of the traveling wedge block may cause the ramped first slide surface to urge the wedge follower downward, thereby actuating a crossbar clamp.

Abstract: A fork mount upright bicycle carrier may include an elongate base having a pair of parallel rails and a fork mount device. A rear wheel receiver may be adjustably coupled in sliding engagement with a first slot in each of the rails, and a rear crossbar clamp may be adjustably coupled in a second slot in each of the rails, such that the receiver and the clamp are capable of overlapping adjustment ranges. The fork mount device may include a fixed jaw and a pivoting jaw for clamping onto a transverse member of a bicycle fork.

Abstract: A coupling assembly for connecting a rooftop cargo carrying system to a vehicle may include a coupler body including a crossbar clamp configured to be coupled to a crossbar. The crossbar may have a long axis oriented transverse to a direction of vehicle travel. The coupling assembly may include a base portion configured to abut a roof of the vehicle and a clip retention and adjustment assembly. The clip retention and adjustment assembly may include (a) a carriage pivotally mounted to the coupler body and configured to rotate around a rotation axis oriented parallel to the direction of vehicle travel, the carriage having a slot for receiving a clip along a translation axis perpendicular to the rotation axis, (b) a catch configured to releasably engage an aperture in the clip, (c) a first actuator configured to rotate the carriage around the rotation axis, and (d) a second actuator configured to move the catch and the clip relative to the coupler body along the translation axis.

Abstract: A selectable pitch crossbar-to-vehicle coupler may include a crossbar clamp having a first mating surface that is selectively receivable on a second mating surface of the coupler in a plurality of discrete orientations. Each of the discrete orientations may correspond to a respective angle of the crossbar relative to the coupler. The angle may be a pitch angle.

Abstract: A crossbar clamp actuator of a crossbar-to-vehicle coupler may include a horizontally traveling wedge block having a ramped, downward-facing first slide surface, and a wedge follower having a second slide surface in frictional contact with the first slide surface of the traveling wedge block. Substantially horizontal repositioning of the traveling wedge block may cause the ramped first slide surface to urge the wedge follower downward, thereby actuating a crossbar clamp.

Abstract: A crossbar system for a truck bed and methods of mounting a crossbar system to a truck bed are disclosed. In some examples, the crossbar system may include two towers, each coupling an end portion of a crossbar to a truck bed wall. Each tower may include a crossbar housing having a clamp device for securing the crossbar housing around a selected location along the crossbar, and a coupling mechanism configured to secure the crossbar housing to the truck bed. The crossbar housing may have a ledge portion configured to sit on an upper surface of the truck bed wall. The coupling mechanism may include a hook member configured to removably engage the ledge portion of the crossbar housing; and an over-center lever that is operable between open and closed positions, which may cause a bridge piece to move between unclamped and clamped positions. The coupling mechanism may include a plurality of alternate bridge pieces, each configured to engage a different truck bed rail structure.

Abstract: A vehicle rack for carrying a bicycle wheel, a wheel carrier mountable on a load supporting bar of a vehicle rack, and methods of using a vehicle rack and/or wheel carrier to hold a bicycle wheel. In some embodiments, the wheel carrier may include a base, a pair of arms connected to the base and defining slots for receiving an axle of a bicycle wheel, and a strap securable to the base over a rim of the bicycle wheel to restrict removal of the wheel from the arms.

Abstract: A bike rack for carrying a bicycle on a vehicle includes an elongate body for supporting a bicycle, and a fork mount for securing the front fork of the bicycle. A fork mount includes a skewer assembly having a shaft and a keyed member being freed to slide axially along the shaft, but not permitted to rotate around the shaft. A handle device is provided for rotation around the shaft causing adjustment of the effective length of the shaft. A lock device is configured to couple the handle device to the keyed member and prevent rotation of the handle around the shaft.

Abstract: A bike rack for carrying a bicycle on a vehicle includes an elongate body for supporting a bicycle, and a fork mount for securing the front fork of the bicycle. A fork mount includes a skewer assembly having a shaft and a keyed member being freed to slide axially along the shaft, but not permitted to rotate around the shaft. A handle device is provided for rotation around the shaft causing adjustment of the effective length of the shaft. A lock device is configured to couple the handle device to the keyed member and prevent rotation of the handle around the shaft.

Abstract: A vehicle rack for carrying a bicycle wheel, a wheel carrier mountable on a load supporting bar of a vehicle rack, and methods of using a vehicle rack and/or wheel carrier to hold a bicycle wheel. In some embodiments, the wheel carrier may include a base, a pair of arms connected to the base and defining slots for receiving an axle of a bicycle wheel, and a strap securable to the base over a rim of the bicycle wheel to restrict removal of the wheel from the arms.