Abstract: A bicycle carrier, including a rack and a fork mount. The rack includes cross bars for mounting on a vehicle. The fork mount includes a head portion adapted to selectively clamp the fork mount to one of the cross bars, and a skewer assembly adapted to selectively secure forks of a bicycle to the head portion. The skewer assembly includes a skewer bolt, an actuator handle that is moveable between a first position and a second position, and an adjustment member threaded onto an end of the skewer bolt that permits longitudinal adjustment of the skewer assembly to accommodate different fork dimensions. The adjustment member is accessible when the actuator handle is in the first position, but is covered by the actuator handle when the actuator handle is in the second position.
Abstract: A bicycle carrier, including a rack and a fork mount. The rack includes cross bars for mounting on a vehicle. The fork mount includes a head portion adapted to selectively clamp the fork mount to one of the cross bars, and a skewer assembly adapted to selectively secure forks of a bicycle to the head portion. The skewer assembly includes a skewer bolt, an actuator handle that is moveable between a first position and a second position, and an adjustment member threaded onto an end of the skewer bolt that permits longitudinal adjustment of the skewer assembly to accommodate different fork dimensions. The adjustment member is accessible when the actuator handle is in the first position, but is covered by the actuator handle when the actuator handle is in the second position.
Abstract: A carrier for a bicycle includes first and second frame elements configured for coupling to a vehicle. The elements are configured such that one can slide past the other to allow adjustment for various vehicle sizes and shapes. A slide restriction mechanism allows reversible fixation of a relative positioning of the first and second frame elements. In some embodiments, the first and second frame elements are arcuate in shape, such that the overall bicycle carrier is roughly semicircular in profile view when configured for attachment to a vehicle.
Type:
Application
Filed:
June 26, 2009
Publication date:
May 27, 2010
Applicant:
YAKIMA PRODUCTS, INC.
Inventors:
Chris Sautter, Mike Kemery, Zac Elder, Richard Jeli, Kevin E. Lesley
Abstract: A car top carrier incorporating improved dual-functioning hinge/latch mechanisms connected by a drive bar that translates pivotal rotation to open and close the carrier.
Abstract: Linkage devices for connecting vehicle rack support members to preexisting attachment points on vehicle upper surfaces are disclosed. The linkage devices may include a body, a resilient pad, and an anchoring member. The body may include an interface, configured to engage and retain the support member, and a substantially hollow lower portion having a lower edge that defines a circumference of an opening. The resilient pad may be disposed on the lower edge and extend around at least a first substantial portion of the circumference of the opening. The opening may extend through the resilient pad and into the substantially hollow lower portion. The anchoring member may be configured to extend through the substantially hollow lower portion and through the opening, engage the attachment point, and selectively urge the body against the resilient pad and the upper surface of the vehicle.
Abstract: A theft resistant strap and buckle assembly for securing cargo on a vehicle rack includes a strap and a buckle. The strap is reinforced to resist cutting. The buckle has a lock and pawl device that operates to prevent loosening of the strap when the buckle is locked.
Abstract: A rack strap extension system for a vehicle comprising a rack that is positioned adjacent a rear end of the vehicle, a strap coupled to the rack, a substantially rigid spanning member that is coupled to the strap and has at least two ends that fit around a protrusion positioned near a top rear surface of the vehicle, wherein the strap avoids tensional contact with the protrusion, and a connector mechanism proximate the strap and the substantially rigid spanning member engaged to a receiver of the vehicle, wherein the protrusion is interposed between the connector and the rack.
Abstract: A rack assembly for carrying skis or snowboards is configured for mounting on a hitch rack behind the vehicle. The ski or snowboard rack assembly includes a pair of U-shaped bar members connected by clamp devices that appear in a preferred design, the clamp devices are connected to the bar members via brackets that permit rotation of the bar members within the brackets, thus providing collapsibility for storage.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
January 5, 2006
Date of Patent:
November 3, 2009
Assignee:
Yakima Products, Inc.
Inventors:
Joseph J. Settelmayer, Timothy C. Smith, Addie Segura, legal representative
Abstract: System providing a securing arrangement for securing a load to a vehicle-mounted rack. The system includes clamp members adapted to secure the load-carrying member to a crossbar of the vehicle-mounted rack. The system includes an opposable clamp member and may include dimensionally different first and second opposing clamp members. The opposable clamp member may be configured to alternatively attach to the first and second opposing clamp members. The system may include an adjustable mounting mechanism configured to adjust an angle of the load-carrying member relative to the opposable clamp member. The opposable clamp member may include a plurality of alternative coupling sections configured to attach to the first and second opposing clamp members.
Abstract: A tower device for supporting a crossbar over the roof of a vehicle includes a tower body, a clip retention mechanism and a clip selected to adapt to a particular vehicle profile. Various mechanisms may be used to secure the clip to the clip receiving mechanism. For example, a lock body may insert through coinciding apertures in a clip and clip receiver. A spring retainer may slide into slots or grooves in the lock body to prevent the lock body from disengaging. Other mechanism employ lock mounts that pivot to swing lock bodies through apertures in the clip and clip receiver.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
May 18, 2005
Date of Patent:
February 12, 2008
Assignee:
Yakima Products, Inc.
Inventors:
Timothy C. Smith, Joseph J. Settelmayer
Abstract: A sports equipment carrier for a vehicle including a rack structure adapted to be mounted to a vehicle and an equipment securing portion. The equipment securing portion includes a clamping mechanism and an adjustment member, where the clamping mechanism includes a housing and is operable between open and closed configurations. Operation of the clamping mechanism shifts the adjustment member into and at least partially out of the housing so that the adjustment member is accessible to a user in the open configuration and inaccessible to a user in the closed configuration.