Abstract: A vehicle bicycle carrier having a pair of mounting brackets and a pair of upstanding supports respectively carried by the brackets is disclosed. The supports each have an upstanding, converging portion and a rearwardly extending bicycle support arm. A brace inter-connects the upstanding portions. Cushions are secured to the arms for cushioning support of bicycles held in place by a plurality of J-hooks each having a shank projecting into associated hook receiving apertures in an arm. Each J-hook includes a bicycle restraint portion and a threaded end portion carrying an internally threaded knob.

Abstract: In combination with a receiver type trailer hitch having telescopically connected vehicle and received components, at least one of which is tubular, the components being maintained in telescopic relationship by a pin component extending through apertures in each of the components, a connection tightening mechanism comprising a bridge element, a spaced pair of flanges secured to and projecting from the bridge element so that the bridge element and the flanges together straddle at least one of the components, the flanges being connected to at least one of the components, and the mechanism including a spaced pair of projections each engaging a different one of the components whereby to tighten the telescopic connection.

Abstract: A hitch assembly for connecting a towed vehicle to a towing vehicle having a pair of longitudinally extending frame portions. The hitch assembly is attachable to a selected vehicle of a group of towing vehicles having frame portions spaced apart a variety of different widths. The hitch assembly includes a pair of end members. Each end member has an attachment connectable with a respective frame portion of the towing vehicle and a support fixed to the attachment. Each attachment has a plurality of elongate openings each for receiving a fastener to attach its end member to the frame portion of the towing vehicle. At least one of the attachment elongate openings in each attachment extends in a direction parallel to the support. At least one of the elongate transverse openings extends in a direction perpendicular to the support. The support has at least one elongate transverse opening extending in a direction parallel to the length of the support and a transverse circular opening.

Abstract: A retrofit, motor vehicle step kit which easily mounts to a motor vehicle regardless of the motor vehicle's make and model. The step kit comprises a step body, two L-shaped brackets, two stiffening members and four nuts. The kit further includes three bolts for connecting the step body to a motor vehicle body and three adaptor brackets for use with trucks having a model year of 1991 or later. A first section of each L-shaped bracket is attached to a motor vehicle frame while a second section of each bracket engages an associated one of the stiffening members. A first of the end portions of each stiffening member engages its associated one of the brackets while a second of the end portions is connected to a support receptacle of the step body.

Abstract: A modular vehicle mounted bicycle carrier. The carrier includes a selected one of a set of mounting brackets for mounting on either a tongue or tubular trailer hitch or a bumper. Each mounting bracket has a base post adapted to receive a support post which in turn telescopically receives a carrier post. A bicycle carrier is atop the carrier post. The posts are vertically adjustable relatively to provide a carrier height appropriate for the application.