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 mast holder for a roof rack is described. Such mast holder includes three flexible straps which interact to provide reliable securance to a rack cross bar. It also includes a cradle having a rest of a configuration which conforms to the exterior shape of a mast. The cradle is of a material which is sufficiently pliable to provide such conformation. The cradle is also formed with support structure for the rest by coextrusion. The support structure is configured to interact with the rest to provide the necessary structural support that it needs.

Abstract: An automotive vehicular rack is described having an adjustable securing mechanism for securing cross slats between side rails. The securing mechanism includes a plunger which is normally urged by a coil spring to a protruding position in which it can register with a selected, corresponding aperture in a side rail. An actuator slide engages the pin defining the plunger to enable a user to slide the pin against the force of the spring as desired, for example, to disengage the cross slat from the side rail.

Abstract: A carrier for a bicycle or the like for interaction with an automobile rooftop rack is described. The carrier includes level adjusters which interact with a cross bar to assure that the bicycle or other load being carried is supported vertically.

Abstract: An automotive vehicle rack is described having a wing joint which holds the wing open, i.e., away from its associated cross bar, to facilitate loading/unloading of skis or other elongated articles. An obstruction is included as part of the joint, which obstruction is configured and positioned to hinder the pivoting selectively and hold the wing away from its closed position.

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.