Abstract: The invention relates generally to an automotive vehicle hitch rack and more particularly to a drawbar coupler that provides a connection to a tow hitch on an automotive vehicle. The coupler comprises a drawbar which interfaces with the tow hitch to provide opposed overlapping surfaces, and a tightener which applies force to maintain the opposed overlapping surfaces together. The invention significantly reduces play between the drawbar and the tow hitch.

Abstract: A hitch rack is described which cooperates with a hitch receiver on an automotive vehicle to enable a recreational or sporting article to be carried at the rear or front of a vehicle. The hitch rack includes a foot engagement bar for operating a cinch enabling the article support structure of the rack to be moved between a transportation and an inactive position.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a tire carrier for an automotive vehicle and, more particularly, to a hitch mounted tire carrier. The invention includes a cantilever construction having the combination of an elongated arm having the tire mount structure, and a bracket for the arm connectable, for example, to a tow hitch of a vehicle. The arm is movable relative to the bracket between the transportation position and in inactive position, and a cinch is provided on the bracket for normally maintaining the arm in the transportation position but releasing the same for movement to the inactive position. The cinch has a lever latch which, in keeping with the invention, is manipulatable of the cinch to an over-center position. A tightener is provided as a protuberance on the lever latch which is mounted for pivoting to a stop position beyond a center position at which it would be generally orthogonal to a bearing surface it engages.

Abstract: A rack carrier for an automobile having a hitch receiver is described. The rack includes an article support structure to be secured to the hitch for movement between a position for transportation of the article by the vehicle and a position enabling access to such vehicle. The carrier includes an elongated arm that projects upward, which arm has the article support structure at its upper end. A bracket securable to the hitch has a cinch for maintaining the arm in its transportation position. The cinch includes a lever latch having a protuberance which engages a bearing surface, which protuberance is mounted for pivoting to a stop position beyond a center position at which it engages the bearing surface generally orthogonal to it. The construction further includes an arrangement which assures a rigid securance between the rack drawbar and a tow hitch receiver on a vehicle.

Abstract: A rack strap for an automotive vehicle rack is described having a hook securing arrangement made up not only of a hook but also a sleeve. The sleeve cooperates with the hook to protect the load at the location of the hook, as well as to hinder disengagement of the hook relative to the rack bar. In one embodiment, the hook includes a reentrant end which passes through an eyelet at a rack cross bar, which reentrant end can be encompassed by the sleeve. In another embodiment, the sleeve acts to maintain clasp pieces about a rack cross bar.