Abstract: A bicycle rack is described with an actuated arm that pivots to an open position in response to user activation of the actuator. The actuator is attached to the rack and the arm and exerts a force on the arm by extension to pivot the actuated arm to the open position. The actuator extends only when a release mechanism has been actuated by a user, but a user may pivot the actuated arm back to a closed position, or a position securing a bicycle, without actuating the release. The actuated arm will then be retained at a position selected by the user until the release is actuated by the user again.

Abstract: A utility rack for a truck may be removably attached to the side walls of the bed of the truck. The disclosed utility rack discloses internal cavities for attachment bolts or other fasteners. The internal cavities allow the fasteners to be hidden under an access cover during use of the utility rack while also providing strong and secure butt joints between the ends of some of the components. The ends of the components of the utility rack may be provided with protrusions and sockets that interlock to improve the stability of flush butt joints between components. The utility rack may include closed-loop outer-boundary side frames configure to clamp on opposing side walls of a truck cargo bed, with a crossbar spanning the truck cargo bed between top rails of the side frames. The closed-loop outer-boundary side frames do not require internal vertically oriented support posts inside the outer-boundary frame.

Abstract: A bicycle carrier is provided with an integrated work stand to support a bicycle during maintenance or repair. The integrated work stand may be used when the bicycle carrier is in a non-use configuration. The non-use configuration may also comprise a storage configuration for the bicycle carrier. The integrated work stand may retract into the bicycle carrier. The integrated work stand may include an arm with a clamp mechanism at one end of the arm. The bicycle carrier may include a locking mechanism to lock the integrated work stand in place with respect to the bicycle carrier. Integrated work stands having jaws may capture the frame of a bicycle in the jaws.

Abstract: A bicycle rack is described with a platform for supporting a bicycle and an arm for securing the bicycle to the platform. The arm rotates or pivots from a closed position adjacent to the platform, to an open position to allow the loading of a bicycle. The arm may also be pivoted past the horizontal to an over-center position and further past horizontal to a lowered position. The arm may be provided with a latch mechanism to limit the rotation of the arm in certain ranges of rotation. The arm may also be provided with an actuator to power the movement of the arm in certain ranges of rotation.

Abstract: An equipment rack is described with an integrated lighting system. The integrated lighting system may connect to the vehicle's electrical system to provide tail light, brake light, hazard, reverse light, and turn signal functions. The lighting system may include an automatic connection for lighting attached to a rack extension when the rack extension is attached to a base rack. The lighting may also be visible on a pivoting rack when the rack is stowed or in use to carry bicycles. The lighting elements may be disposed on or inside the equipment rack and may be provided with internal wiring to connect the lights to the vehicle's electrical system.

Abstract: A bicycle rack is described with an actuated arm that pivots to an open position in response to user activation of the actuator. The actuator is attached to the rack and the arm and exerts a force on the arm by extension to pivot the actuated arm to the open position. The actuator extends only when a release mechanism has been actuated by a user, but a user may pivot the actuated arm back to a closed position, or a position securing a bicycle, without actuating the release. The actuated arm will then be retained at a position selected by the user until the release is actuated by the user again.

Abstract: An equipment rack for use with a vehicle is described having a sliding member translatably attached to a lower cross member of the rack. The sliding member translates outwardly from the rack to a loading and unloading position. In the loading and unloading position, sports equipment may be placed on or removed from the sliding member. When the sports equipment has been loaded the sliding member may be translated back toward the rack into a stowed position. In the stowed position an upper cross member may be clamped to the lower cross member to secure the sports equipment on the rack.

Abstract: An equipment rack is described with an integrated lighting system. The integrated lighting system may connect to the vehicle's electrical system to provide tail light, brake light, hazard, reverse light, and turn signal functions. The lighting system may include an automatic connection for lighting attached to a rack extension when the rack extension is attached to a base rack. The lighting may also be visible on a pivoting rack when the rack is stowed or in use to carry bicycles. The lighting elements may be disposed on or inside the equipment rack and may be provided with internal wiring to connect the lights to the vehicle's electrical system.

Abstract: A bicycle rack is described with an actuated arm that pivots to an open position in response to user activation of the actuator. The actuator is attached to the rack and the arm and exerts a force on the arm by extension to pivot the actuated arm to the open position. The actuator extends only when a release mechanism has been actuated by a user, but a user may pivot the actuated arm back to a closed position, or a position securing a bicycle, without actuating the release. The actuated arm will then be retained at a position selected by the user until the release is actuated by the user again.

Abstract: A rack is described for securing equipment, such as a kayak, to a vehicle. The rack has a base member, a support member, and a hinge assembly that pivotally connects the support member to the base member. The rack may be folded from an open configuration to a closed configuration. A handle or actuator on the base member may be operated to engage or disengage a latch mechanism to allow the hinge assembly to pivot or to be fixed to control the movement of the support member between desired positions in relation to the base member. The latch mechanism may comprise a shuttle assembly.

Abstract: An equipment rack is described with an integrated lighting system. The integrated lighting system may connect to the vehicle's electrical system to provide tail light, brake light, hazard, reverse light, and turn signal functions. The lighting system may include an automatic connection for lighting attached to a rack extension when the rack extension is attached to a base rack. The lighting may also be visible on a pivoting rack when the rack is stowed or in use to carry bicycles. The lighting elements may be disposed on or inside the equipment rack and may be provided with internal wiring to connect the lights to the vehicle's electrical system.

Abstract: An equipment rack is described with an integrated lighting system. The integrated lighting system may connect to the vehicle's electrical system to provide tail light, brake light, hazard, reverse light, and turn signal functions. The lighting system may include an automatic connection for lighting attached to a rack extension when the rack extension is attached to a base rack. The lighting may also be visible on a pivoting rack when the rack is stowed or in use to carry bicycles. The lighting elements may be disposed on or inside the equipment rack and may be provided with internal wiring to connect the lights to the vehicle's electrical system.

Abstract: A rack is described for securing equipment, such as a kayak, to a vehicle. The rack has a base member, a support member, and a hinge assembly that pivotally connects the support member to the base member. The rack may be folded from an open configuration to a closed configuration. A handle or actuator on the base member may be operated to engage or disengage a latch mechanism to allow the hinge assembly to pivot or to be fixed to control the movement of the support member between desired positions in relation to the base member. The latch mechanism may comprise a shuttle assembly.

Abstract: A bicycle rack for mounting on the trunk or rear hatch of a vehicle is described with improved mechanisms for adjusting the components of the rack to fit the rack to different vehicles. The rack is provided with hinge assemblies having releasable latches for quickly releasing the hinges to allow the rack components to be moved with respect to one another, and the latching components back into a fixed configuration during use for carrying a bicycle. The bicycle rack is also provided with inventive support members for holding a bicycle on the rack during use.

Abstract: The present disclosure includes hitch-mounted carriers, including portable bicycle racks. One carrier may include front tire tray assembly; hook arm assembly; pivot assembly; hitch shank ball cam assembly; rear tire tray assembly; and a bike docking assembly. The pivot assembly allowing for adjustment between: storage, trunk access, and use configurations. The bike carrier having first and second wheel supporting tray assemblies for supporting wheels of a loaded bicycle. A hook arm assembly may be pivotally arranged relative to lock at least one wheel and ratchet clamped to at least one wheel. The hook arm assembly may also be configured to extend and retract and is frictionally locked into position. The bike carrier may include a docking assembly having inner and outer clamps configured to the hold a bike into position such that mechanical work may be accomplished at an elevated height.

Abstract: A bicycle rack is described with an actuated arm that pivots to an open position in response to user activation of the actuator. The actuator is attached to the rack and the arm and exerts a force on the arm by extension to pivot the actuated arm to the open position. The actuator extends only when a release mechanism has been actuated by a user, but a user may pivot the actuated arm back to a closed position, or a position securing a bicycle, without actuating the release. The actuated arm will then be retained at a position selected by the user until the release is actuated by the user again.

Abstract: An equipment rack for use with a vehicle is described having an expandable hinge and latch with a collapsed and an expanded configuration for stowing skis, snowboards, and other equipment. Various configurations of support members are described for securing equipment in the rack, including interlocking protrusions. Various embodiments of the equipment rack are provided with a sliding lower rack and releasable mount assemblies.

Abstract: A bicycle rack for mounting on the trunk or rear hatch of a vehicle is described with improved mechanisms for adjusting the components of the rack to fit the rack to different vehicles. The rack is provided with hinge assemblies having releasable latches for quickly releasing the hinges to allow the rack components to be moved with respect to one another, and the latching components back into a fixed configuration during use for carrying a bicycle. The bicycle rack is also provided with inventive support members for holding a bicycle on the rack during use.

Abstract: The present disclosure includes hitch-mounted carriers, including portable bicycle racks. One carrier may include front tire tray assembly; hook arm assembly; pivot assembly; hitch shank ball cam assembly; rear tire tray assembly; and a bike docking assembly. The pivot assembly allowing for adjustment between: storage, trunk access, and use configurations. The bike carrier having first and second wheel supporting tray assemblies for supporting wheels of a loaded bicycle. A hook arm assembly may be pivotally arranged relative to lock at least one wheel and ratchet clamped to at least one wheel. The hook arm assembly may also be configured to extend and retract and is frictionally locked into position. The bike carrier may include a docking assembly having inner and outer clamps configured to the hold a bike into position such that mechanical work may be accomplished at an elevated height.