Abstract: A first beam (1) is inserted through a transverse opening (4) in a tubular second beam (2). A bolt (7) is inserted through unthreaded holes (9A, 9B) in the second beam. The bolt may be transverse to both beams. A wedge (5) is threaded onto the bolt inside the second beam (2). Tightening the bolt moves the wedge against a side of the first beam, forcing it against surfaces (11, 12, 13) of the transverse opening (4) opposite the wedge. The bolt counters the reaction to this force. The beams can be formed as extrusions. The joint only requires machining for the transverse opening (4) and smoothbore bolt holes (9A, 9B) for a single bolt. The second beam may have a rectangular cross section with relatively thicker corners (2A-2D) and thinner mid-walls (2E-2H).

Abstract: A bike carrier has H-shaped or inverted U-shaped wheel retention arms that pivot inward to press a cross member of each retention arm against each tire. Each cross member is infinitely adjustable along elongated slots in side arms of the retention arm for different wheel diameters. Each cross member has a shaft passing through the elongated slots, and a tool-less tensioner that fixes and releases the cross member to the side arms at selectable positions. The tensioner may be a cam lever as used on bicycle wheel quick-release hubs or a transversely threaded lever that acts as both a nut and a wrench on a threaded end of the shaft of the cross member A retention arm pivot ratchet holds each retention arm inward, pressing the cross member against the bike tire. A trailer hitch embodiment of the carrier has two bike wheel trays that pivot forward together for storage.

Abstract: A bike carrier has H-shaped or inverted U-shaped wheel retention arms that pivot inward to press a cross member of each retention arm against each tire. Each cross member is infinitely adjustable along elongated slots in side arms of the retention arm for different wheel diameters. Each cross member has a shaft passing through the elongated slots, and a tool-less tensioner that fixes and releases the cross member to the side arms at selectable positions. The tensioner may be a cam lever as used on bicycle wheel quick-release hubs or a transversely threaded lever that acts as both a nut and a wrench on a threaded end of the shaft of the cross member A retention arm pivot ratchet holds each retention arm inward, pressing the cross member against the bike tire. A trailer hitch embodiment of the carrier has two bike wheel trays that pivot forward together for storage.

Abstract: A bike carrier for a trailer hitch receiver with two bike wheel carrying trays pivotally mounted to a bike carrying tray assembly to pivot between a co-aligned laterally opposed operational position and a folded position for shipping and storage. A tray position lock bar or lever is urged upward beside each tray by a spring, automatically releasably locking the tray in the operational position. The trays may be mounted on a tray crossbar that is mounted between side plates of the assembly. The tray crossbar may have a slot beside the trays in which a tray lock lever for each tray is pivotally mounted. A rotation stop may be mounted on the crossbar between the two trays that stops the trays in the parallel position when rotating the trays toward each other.

Abstract: A latch pivots about and slides axially on an axle on a second assembly. It is manually pulled axially outward against a spring to clear and pivot over a boss on a first assembly. It then slides over the boss via a boss receiving hole in the latch, interconnecting the two assemblies. A spring urges the latch inward, retaining it on the boss. A hole for a shackle may be provided in the first assembly and in the latch to lock the latch in the connected position. The latch may pivot to a retracted position over a shackle hole in the second assembly to store a lock on the second assembly. It prevents separation of two assemblies that are coupled by a pivoting engagement of one assembly relative to the other.

Abstract: A drawbar for a trailer hitch receiver tube has a translation screw passing from the back end to the front end of the drawbar in a longitudinal unthreaded passage in the drawbar. A ramp nut is threaded onto the translation screw and is retained in a ramp nut chamber in the front end of the drawbar. A captive ball is retained in a captive ball retention chamber passing between the ramp nut chamber and the exterior of the drawbar. A ramp on the ramp nut pushes the ball to extend beyond the exterior of the drawbar when the translation screw is turned to pull the ramp nut backward in the ramp nut chamber. This eliminates all play between the drawbar and the receiver tube in which the drawbar is inserted. A spring between the ramp nut and the drawbar may urge the ramp nut forward.

Abstract: A drawbar for a trailer hitch receiver tube has a translation screw passing from the back end to the front end of the drawbar in a longitudinal unthreaded passage in the drawbar. A ramp nut is threaded onto the translation screw and is retained in a ramp nut chamber in the front end of the drawbar. A captive ball is retained in a captive ball retention chamber passing between the ramp nut chamber and the exterior of the drawbar. A ramp on the ramp nut pushes the ball to extend beyond the exterior of the drawbar when the translation screw is turned to pull the ramp nut backward in the ramp nut chamber. This eliminates all play between the drawbar and the receiver tube in which the drawbar is inserted. A spring between the ramp nut and the drawbar may urge the ramp nut forward.

Abstract: A latch pivots about and slides axially on an axle on a second assembly. It is manually pulled axially outward against a spring to clear and pivot over a boss on a first assembly. It then slides over the boss via a boss receiving hole in the latch, interconnecting the two assemblies. A spring urges the latch inward, retaining it on the boss. A hole for a shackle may be provided in the first assembly and in the latch to lock the latch in the connected position. The latch may pivot to a retracted position over a shackle hole in the second assembly to store a lock on the second assembly. It prevents separation of two assemblies that are coupled by a pivoting engagement of one assembly relative to the other.

Abstract: A bike carrier for a trailer hitch receiver with two trays that pivot between a laterally opposed operational position for holding the wheels of a bike and a forward folded position for compact shipping and storage. In the operational position a tray open lock plate rises under spring force between the inner ends of the trays, stopping the trays from pivoting forward. Other stops on the carrier prevent backward pivoting of the trays. Pushing the plate down allows the trays to pivot forward. A tray folding stop plate may stop the trays from over-rotating forward past a parallel position when folding.

Abstract: A bike carrier for a trailer hitch receiver with two trays that pivot between a laterally opposed operational position for holding the wheels of a bike and a forward folded position for compact shipping and storage. In the operational position a tray open lock plate rises under spring force between the inner ends of the trays, stopping the trays from pivoting forward. Other stops on the carrier prevent backward pivoting of the trays. Pushing the plate down allows the trays to pivot forward. A tray folding stop plate may stop the trays from over-rotating forward past a parallel position when folding.

Abstract: A ratchet mechanism with a pawl slidably mounted on a ratchet bar. Two fingers in the pawl on opposite sides of ratchet bar pinch the bar between them when the pawl is pivoted to a pinch angle relative to the bar. A lever on the pawl pivots the pawl to release the fingers from the ratchet bar. An over-rotation stop on the pawl contacts the ratchet bar in the release position, and prevents the pawl from pivoting past the release position to a position that drags a finger against the ratchet bar. The over-rotation stop may extend from the pawl lever, contact and slide along the ratchet bar in the release position, and maintain an ideal release position of the pawl relative to the ratchet bar during sliding of the pawl on the ratchet bar. The ratchet bar may be toothless, providing smooth selection of stopping points on the bar.

Abstract: A bike carrier on a drawbar for a trailer hitch receiver has two trays for the wheels of a bike. The trays pivot between an operational lateral position and a compact forward position for shipping and storage. A tray lock bar mounted in the carrier is urged by a spring into a position that automatically releasably locks the trays in the operational position. Pivoting wheel retention arms on the trays have cross members that contact the bike tires and are adjustable along the retention arms for different wheel diameters. Each cross member is held against a tire by a retention arm pivot ratchet that is releasable to allow the retention arms to pivot outward to release the bike from the carrier.

Abstract: A bike carrier mounted on a drawbar for a trailer hitch receiver via a pivot mechanism that allows the carrier to pivot between an operational horizontal position and a compact vertical position. A slidable trigger bar extends from the pivot mechanism to the back of the carrier. Pulling the trigger bar from the back of the carrier releases the pivot mechanism, providing a convenient operating position. One or more add-on bike carrying tray assemblies may be attached to a first bike carrying tray assembly on the drawbar to hold multiple bikes. Each add-on tray assembly may have a respective slidable trigger bar that latches onto the trigger bar of the previous tray assembly. A pull on the trigger bar of the last add-on assembly releases the pivot mechanism. This operates the pivot mechanism from the back of the carrier.

Abstract: A bike carrier for a trailer hitch receiver with two bike wheel carrying trays pivotally mounted to a bike carrying tray assembly to pivot between a co-aligned laterally opposed operational position and a folded position for shipping and storage. A tray position lock bar or lever is urged upward beside each tray by a spring, automatically releasably locking the tray in the operational position. The trays may be mounted on a tray crossbar that is mounted between side plates of the assembly. The tray crossbar may have a slot beside the trays in which a tray lock lever for each tray is pivotally mounted. A rotation stop may be mounted on the crossbar between the two trays that stops the trays in the parallel position when rotating the trays toward each other.

Abstract: A ratchet mechanism with a pawl slidably mounted on a ratchet bar. Two fingers in the pawl on opposite sides of ratchet bar pinch the bar between them when the pawl is pivoted to a pinch angle relative to the bar. A lever on the pawl pivots the pawl to release the fingers from the ratchet bar. An over-rotation stop on the pawl contacts the ratchet bar in the release position, and prevents the pawl from pivoting past the release position to a position that drags a finger against the ratchet bar. The over-rotation stop may extend from the pawl lever, contact and slide along the ratchet bar in the release position, and maintain an ideal release position of the pawl relative to the ratchet bar during sliding of the pawl on the ratchet bar. The ratchet bar may be toothless, providing smooth selection of stopping points on the bar.

Abstract: A bike carrier mounted on a drawbar for a trailer hitch receiver via a pivot mechanism that allows the carrier to pivot between an operational horizontal position and a compact vertical position. A slidable trigger bar extends from the pivot mechanism to the back of the carrier. Pulling the trigger bar from the back of the carrier releases the pivot mechanism, providing a convenient operating position. One or more add-on bike carrying tray assemblies may be attached to a first bike carrying tray assembly on the drawbar to hold multiple bikes. Each add-on tray assembly may have a respective slidable trigger bar that latches onto the trigger bar of the previous tray assembly. A pull on the trigger bar of the last add-on assembly releases the pivot mechanism. This operates the pivot mechanism from the back of the carrier.

Abstract: A bike carrier mounted on a drawbar for a trailer hitch receiver via a pivot mechanism that allows the carrier to pivot between an operational horizontal position and a compact vertical position. A slidable trigger bar extends from the pivot mechanism to the back of the carrier. Pulling the trigger bar from the back of the carrier releases the pivot mechanism, providing a convenient operating position. One or more add-on bike carrying tray assemblies may be attached to a first bike carrying tray assembly on the drawbar to hold multiple bikes. Each add-on tray assembly may have a respective slidable trigger bar that latches onto the trigger bar of the previous tray assembly. A pull on the trigger bar of the last add-on assembly releases the pivot mechanism. This operates the pivot mechanism from the back of the carrier.

Abstract: A bike carrier mounted on a drawbar for a trailer hitch receiver via a pivot mechanism that allows the carrier to pivot between an operational horizontal position and a compact vertical position. A slidable trigger bar extends from the pivot mechanism to the back of the carrier. Pulling the trigger bar from the back of the carrier releases the pivot mechanism, providing a convenient operating position. One or more add-on bike carrying tray assemblies may be attached to a first bike carrying tray assembly on the drawbar to hold multiple bikes. Each add-on tray assembly may have a respective slidable trigger bar that latches onto the trigger bar of the previous tray assembly. A pull on the trigger bar of the last add-on assembly releases the pivot mechanism. This operates the pivot mechanism from the back of the carrier.

Abstract: At a given insertion depth (D) of a drawbar (22, 60) in a trailer hitch receiver tube (24, 68), a pin arm (26, 56, 74) attached to the drawbar extends forward beside the receiver tube and holds a captive pin (21, 51, 76) beside a pin receiving hole (30, 71) in the receiver tube. A spring (36) urges the captive pin into the pin receiving hole to retain the drawbar in the receiver tube. The pin arm may be attached to the drawbar via a crossbar (40, 70, 73). Receiver tubes of different sizes (24, 68) may be accommodated by a drawbar size adapter (62) that slips over the drawbar, enlarging it, and by a vertical adjustment mechanism (83) for the pin arm (74) that aligns the pin with the pin receiving hole in either a smaller (24) receiver tube or a larger (68) receiver tube.

Abstract: A bike carrier on a drawbar for a trailer hitch receiver has two trays for the wheels of a bike. The trays pivot between an operational lateral position and a compact forward position for shipping and storage. A tray lock bar mounted in the carrier is urged by a spring into a position that automatically releasably locks the trays in the operational position. Pivoting wheel retention arms on the trays have cross members that contact the bike tires and are adjustable along the retention arms for different wheel diameters. Each cross member is held against a tire by a retention arm pivot ratchet that is releasable to allow the retention arms to pivot outward to release the bike from the carrier.