Abstract: A rack apparatus for storing at least one wakeboard (27,29) in a skiboat having a vertically extending tow pylon (12), comprising: a collar assembly (20) being adapted to support the rack and wakeboards from the vertically extending pylon (12), a plurality of spaced apart lower support arms (23) connected to collar assembly (20) and adapted to support at least one horizontally oriented wakeboard (27) thereon, a plurality of spaced apart upper support arms (25) connected to collar assembly (20) and adapted to support at least one horizontally oriented wakeboard (29) thereon, and a plurality of resiliently extensible and flexible attaching members (30) or attaching straps (31) connected to lower support arms (23), the flexible attaching members (30) being constructed of a length sufficient to wrap around at least one wakeboard (27,29).

Abstract: An L-shaped support has a rearwardly extending tubular arm formed of a thin-walled tube. The end of vertical leg of the support is cold formed into a U-shaped, double-walled channel which fits between the sides of a brace which is rigidly mounted to the trailer hitch of a vehicle. A plastic bracket has a split ring clamp which fits over the rearwardly extending arm of the support. The entire bracket may pivot about the axis defined by the arm. An alternative embodiment attachment device for restraining a bicycle tube on a horizontally extending carrier arm is formed as a single molded part of thermoplastic rubber. The attachment device has a strap with an array of two rows of holes which engage with a square array of four mushroom-head type fasteners to attach the end of the strap to the attachment devices.

Abstract: A base plate is securable to a vehicle bumper using a threaded bolt attachment and supports a rectangular support which in turn is secured to and supports a planar top plate. A front plate is angularly positioned between the top plate and base plate to provide the combined support structure of a vehicle hitch securable to a vehicle bumper. A transversely extending saddle plate is spaced from the front plate at the lower edge thereof defining a lower channel therebetween. A pair of latch arms each defining respective notches therein are pivotally supported upon the vertical support and are coupled to a transversely extending angularly disposed cam plate. A return spring is operative to urge the latch arms to an upward locking position. An elongated handle is secured to one of the latch arms and extends downwardly therefrom. A pool cart or the like having an upper tube and lower tube is received within the latch arm notches and lower channel respectively to secure the pool cart to the vehicle hitch.

Abstract: A vehicle mountable carrier includes a body having an article holder and a mounting tube for both securing the body to a vehicle and receiving a hitch bar. Preferably, the article holder includes a storage compartment and cooperating lid. The storage compartment may also include a cradle for receiving a frame of at least one bicycle. Specifically, a support channel may be provided bridging opposing walls of the storage compartment and cooperating frame receiving notches may be provided in the lid.

Abstract: A bicycle carrier has a body member which is tubular in shape and size to have a telescoped connected fit in a tubular vehicle hitch member. A pivot support is provided at a rearward portion of the body member and pivotally supports an upright bicycle support post. Pivot support for the post is between an upright bicycle loaded position and a rearward tilted bicycle loading and unloading position that allows a tailgate for a rear door of a vehicle to be opened. Cooperating cam and a cam follower is connected between the upright support post and are driven by a turnbuckle assembly to provide a firm compressive contact between the body member and a vehicle hitch member when the bicycle support post is pivoted to its upright position whereby to provide a tight rattle-free support of the upright bicycle support post on the pivot. The cam and cam follower can also be tightened to the extent to provide a theft-proof connection.

Abstract: A pivoting equipment carrier adapted for use with a vehicle having a receiver hitch for receiving said pivoting equipment carrier. The pivoting equipment carrier is movable between a first closed position, wherein equipment carried by the pivoting equipment carrier is held at a desired spaced distance from a rear bumper of the vehicle, and a second clearance position, wherein the equipment is swung rearwardly and outwardly to one side of the vehicle in order to permit full and unobstructed access to a rear entry of the vehicle. The invention includes a first fixed horizontal support arm adapted to be aligned generally parallel with the rear vehicle bumper, and a second movable horizontal support arm pivotally connected to the first fixed horizontal support arm by a first hinge pivot assembly.

Abstract: A receiver hitch boat and canoe rack comprised of a right angle extension adapted for adjustable coupling with a receiver hitch on a vehicle. A hollow vertical post telescopically receives the right angle extension for adjustable securement thereto by a nut and bolt. A hollow horizontal post is integral with the hollow vertical post in an orthogonal relationship. The hollow horizontal post has open end portions. A pair of cross bars are telescopically received within the open end portions of the hollow horizontal post for adjustable securement thereto by a nut and bolt. The pair of cross bars have an eye bolt secured thereto.

Abstract: A carrier attached to enable articles such as bicycles to be transported. The carrier comprising an article support member rotatably coupled to a substantially horizontal base member. The base member is designed to be securely inserted within a standard hitch receiver commonly found on many vehicles. The article support member includes a support column oriented in a generally vertical direction and a holding member generally perpendicular to said support column for securing the articles. The carrier further comprises a resistive member coupled to the article support member and the base member to drastically lessens the rotational speed of the article support member during unloading of the article and accessing of a rear hatch door of the vehicle.

Abstract: A bicycle carrier for attachment to a vehicle includes a lower mounting member, an upper mounting member and a support member. The upper mounting member is pivotably attached to the lower mounting member to pivot about a horizontal pivot axis. The support member is pivotably attached to the lower mounting member to pivot about a vertical pivot axis. The lower mounting member, the upper mounting member and the support member can be pivoted about their respective axes to lie in a substantially coplanar storage position.

Abstract: A tree stand carrier for an ATV comprised of a U-shaped support comprised of a pair of vertical supports and a horizontal support joined at lower ends of the pair of vertical supports. Each of the pair of vertical supports has an outwardly extending edge portion thereby forming a vertical chamber. The horizontal support has an upwardly extending edge portion thereby forming a horizontal chamber. The U-shaped support is securable to an ATV for transportation of a tree stand.

Abstract: A bicycle and ski carrier for attachment to a common trailer type receiver hitch on an automobile. The main member (6) of the carrier contains trays(18) to support bicycles by the top tube of their frame. A ski support (9) holds skis under their rear binding in a vertical position. A hinged, locking lid (13) is used to lock either bicycles or skis against the carrier's main member (6) for security. A horizontal telescoping member (4) which supports the main member (6) allows main member (6) to be raised for additional ground clearance for ski tails and rotate 90 degrees to a position perpendicular to the axis of the automobile.

Abstract: A rack for transporting on an all-terrain vehicle (ATV) a long gun such as a rifle, shotgun, or a hunting bow has a clamping arrangement which engages the limbs of the hunting bow in a direction substantially normal to the limbs at the point of engagement and clamping. The rack further has support arms for holding and supporting a hunting seat such as a tree stand or deer stand for transportation. Additionally, the rack is provided with two detachable cradles which may be disposed on a portion of the clamping mechanism and clamped by the remainder of the clamping mechanism. The cradles have hook-shaped support surfaces disposed for supporting and holding a long gun in a substantially horizontal orientation.

Abstract: An improved bracket for mounting a carrier on a vehicle for carrying various articles such as skis and ski poles, bicycles and luggage. The illustrated bracket supports the carrier at the rear of the vehicle. The bracket is firmly and rigidly supports the carrier so as to limit tilting or swaying of the carrier as the vehicle moves. In a preferred form the bracket allows the carrier to be moved out of the way when access to the rear of the vehicle is desired. One form of illustrated carrier, for carrying (1) skis and ski poles and (2) bicycles, includes an elongated upright section that supports holder units for holding those articles. Another form of illustrated carrier, for carrying luggage, simply extends rearwardly and supports a horizontal platform.

Abstract: A bicycle carrier is attachable to a hitch receiver secured to the rear end of a vehicle. A trunnion insertable into the receiver may extend rearwardly (with respect to the vehicle) to support an upright connected at a lower end to the trunnion. A lower arm may extend from the trunnion to be substantially parallel thereto, or even co-linearly therewith to support a tray positioned to extend substantially horizontally and laterally (substantially at a right angle to the lower arm). The upright, may support a top arm extending rearwardly away from the vehicle from a top end of the upright. A fork mount may be attached to extend laterally on each side of the top arm to extend away from the top arm in the same direction as the tray extends from the lower arm. A bicycle may be supported on a rear wheel in the tray, secured by the tines of a front fork to the fork mount, after removal of the front wheel. A second bicycle may be mounted in mirror-image fashion opposite the first bicycle.

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: A rack is disclosed for mounting on the rear of a car for carrying a wheelchair. The wheelchair has a seat supporting framework that includes two parallel horizontal frame members close to the ground. The rack includes a pair of chair support members for engaging the two horizontal frame members with the chair on the ground and powered lift members for raising the chair to a traveling position above the ground and for lowering the chair downwardly to the ground for removing the chair from the rack thereby eliminating any need for anyone to lift the chair.

Abstract: An automobile mounted multiple bike and ski rack comprising a main support column formed as a generally rectangular shaped block and configured into an L-shaped orientation, the column having a vertically positioned member and a horizontally positioned member, the horizontal member extending rearwardly with respect to the long member, the free end of the horizontal member including coupling means and adapted to be positioned inside a tow hitch in the operative orientation; a cross bar formed as a generally rectangular shaped block and affixed in a horizontal orientation on top of the vertical member of the main support column; and two side bars each consisting of upper and lower mounting brackets, the mounting brackets being formed as generally rectangular shaped blocks with each including apertures positioned near each end, one end of each lower bracket being affixed to the cross bar, each upper bracket being positioned on top of the lower brackets, bolts with cooperatively coupled wing nuts being positioned

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: The rear mounted multi-bicycle steel rack securely locks up to six bicycles for stable, safe and secure transport. The rack mounts into the rear receiver hitch with a simple pin. Up to six bicycles with different tubular frame sizes can be placed on the rack with a securing arm and lock providing stability and security. The hinges provide ease in movement of the arm. The high gloss finish in a variety of colors protects the rack from the weather and road damage. The clear advantages of bicycle rack is the lightweight design, lateral stability, locking feature, adjustment for different bicycle tubular frame sizes and ease of operation.

Abstract: A carrier system is provided for attachment to a vehicle having a pair of tubular trailer hitches mounted thereon. The carrier system comprises a pair of spaced, deflectable articulated tubular support assemblies, each having a first open end and a second open end each of the first ends being adapted for telescopic engagement with one of the trailer hitches. A cargo carrier is removably attached and solely supported from the vehicle by the support assemblies, the cargo carrier having a base provided with a pair of guide channels formed thereon. The support assemblies are receivable in the guide channels and the cargo carrier is slidably disposed along and extends over a portion of the support assemblies between the first and second ends.

Abstract: A load carrier for supporting bicycles and the like, coextensively obstructing the rear opening of a vehicle such as a van, wagon or sedan, capable of simultaneous trailer hitch operation and shiftable to retract the load from the obstruction position to a retracted clearance position at the safe side of the vehicle.

Abstract: An improved bracket for mounting a carrier on a vehicle for carrying objects such as skis and ski poles. The illustrated bracket supports the carrier at the rear of the vehicle. The bracket is firmly and rigidly supports the carrier so as to limit tilting or swaying of the carrier as the vehicles moves. In a preferred form the bracket allows the carrier to be moved out of way to the side when access to the rear or the vehicle is desired. The illustrated carrier includes an elongated upright section that supports holder units for holding the skis and poles.

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: An improved article mounting assembly for a vehicle mounted carrier is described. This particular style of vehicle mounted carrier has an upright primary support member with a bottom end adapted for attachment to a square tube trailer hitch on a vehicle and a top end having means to secure articles to the primary support member. The improvement includes a tubular primary upright support member having a top end, a bottom end and an interior bore. A lower mounting member is provided having a first portion and a tubular second portion. The first portion has article receiving depressions. The second portion has having an interior bore that telescopically receives the top end of the primary support member. A stop is provided to limit the relative telescopic movement of the tubular second portion of the lower mounting member and the primary support member. An upper mounting member is provided having a first portion and a second portion.