Abstract: A carrier for wheeled vehicles folds down quickly and compactly, aiding in shipping and storage, and providing ease of use. The carrier includes an automobile attachment member, a first support member, and a second support member movable relative to the first member from a retracted position to an extended position. In the retracted position the second member is nested within the first member. In the extended position, the second member is extended in telescoping fashion out of the first member. The carrier also includes a third support member movable relative to the second member from a folded position to an unfolded position. An elongate upper member extending from the third member includes an elongate body and a free distal end. Adjacent spokes of a wheel are positioned about the free distal end of the elongate member and the vehicle is moved backward along the elongate body towards the third member.

Abstract: Carriers for wheeled vehicles are provided. In one embodiment, a carrier includes a support member (e.g., generally vertical support member), an automobile attachment member, an elongate upper member, and an elongate lower member. The elongate upper member has an elongate body and a free distal end configured for receipt of a wheel of a vehicle. Adjacent spokes of the wheel are positioned about the free distal end of the elongate member and the vehicle is moved backward along the elongate body towards the support member. The elongate body is configured to support the weight of the vehicle via contact with a rim of the wheel. The lower member includes a bar and one or more saddle members. Each saddle member is configured to slide along and/or rotate freely about the bar, and to fixate to another wheel of the vehicle to stabilize the vehicle hanging from the upper member.

Abstract: Bicycle carriers and corresponding methods for loading bicycles and/or other wheeled vehicles onto such carriers are provided. In one embodiment, a bicycle carrier includes a support member (e.g., vertical or generally vertical support member), a hitch member, an elongate upper member, and an elongate lower member. The elongate upper member has an elongate body and a free distal end configured for receipt, serially one after another, of a plurality of wheels of a corresponding plurality of bicycles. For each bicycle, adjacent spokes of a bicycle wheel are positioned about the free distal end of the elongate member and the bicycle is moved backward along the elongate body towards the support member. The elongate body is configured to support the weight of the bicycles via contact with the rims of the bicycle wheels. The carrier is configured such that the bicycles hang generally vertically from the elongate body.

Abstract: Bicycle carriers and corresponding methods for loading bicycles and/or other wheeled vehicles onto such carriers are provided. In one embodiment, a bicycle carrier includes a support member (e.g., vertical or generally vertical support member), a hitch member, an elongate upper member, and an elongate lower member. The elongate upper member has an elongate body and a free distal end configured for receipt, serially one after another, of a plurality of wheels of a corresponding plurality of bicycles. For each bicycle, adjacent spokes of a bicycle wheel are positioned about the free distal end of the elongate member and the bicycle is moved backward along the elongate body towards the support member. The elongate body is configured to support the weight of the bicycles via contact with the rims of the bicycle wheels. The carrier is configured such that the bicycles hang generally vertically from the elongate body.

Abstract: Bicycle carriers and corresponding methods for loading bicycles and/or other wheeled vehicles onto such carriers are provided. In one embodiment, a bicycle carrier includes a support member (e.g., vertical or generally vertical support member), a hitch member, an elongate upper member, and an elongate lower member. The elongate upper member has an elongate body and a free distal end configured for receipt, serially one after another, of a plurality of wheels of a corresponding plurality of bicycles. For each bicycle, adjacent spokes of a bicycle wheel are positioned about the free distal end of the elongate member and the bicycle is moved backward along the elongate body towards the support member. The elongate body is configured to support the weight of the bicycles via contact with the rims of the bicycle wheels. The carrier is configured such that the bicycles hang generally vertically from the elongate body.

Abstract: The disclosed articulated wheel assemblies and associated vehicles, for example wheelchairs, include articulated wheel assemblies with at least one offset connecting arm rotatably attached at one end to a payload platform, for example a seat, and attached at the other end to a linear actuator, where the linear actuator is further connected to a wheel. Embodiments include a rotary actuator for varying the linear actuator swing angle, a rotary actuator for eccentrically rotating a hubless wheel, a linear actuator motor for varying the length of the linear actuator, and a propulsion motor. Embodiments provide omnidirectional motion, stepping action when presented with obstacles, irregular surface negotiation, tight space maneuvering and other features to provide disabled people increased mobility. Alternate embodiments include a payload platform with a support strut, which is rotatably attached to an offset connecting arm and pivotally mounted to a seat.

Abstract: The invention relates to a building truss having an intermediate flexible section and two end stiff sections. The truss is formed of upper and lower chord(s) with the lower chord(s) of the intermediate section having a plurality of lengths of tube slidably received over a tensioning cable. By tensioning the cable the truss is bowed upwardly to form an arcuate truss.