Abstract: A carrier, e.g., a bicycle carrier, for use with vehicles is described. The carrier, in its bicycle-supporting position, comprises an upright, bicycle-supporting frame which is connected at its lower end to a rearward end of a base frame. The latter extends horizontally across, and is supported on, a rear edge of a trunk and is connected at its forward end to anchoring posts which, in turn, are connected to an inner surface of the trunk (including the trunk lid). Preferably, the referenced carrier components are pivotally connected to each other so that the carrier can be retracted into the trunk either into a folded position or extended along the undersurface of the trunk lid. A modified lock system is provided to normally lock the trunk lid when the carrier is stored within the trunk and to lock the lid against the base frame when the carrier is in its bicycle-supporting position.

Abstract: A carrier for carrying loads, e.g., bicycles, external to a vehicle is described. It comprises: an inverted U-shaped frame which is usually disposed in an upright position when in use; a set of flexible straps which attach to the lower end of the frame and to an anchor point within a vehicle cavity, e.g., a trunk; a cam attached to each leg of the frame to distribute load forces over the straps, to aid in tensioning the straps to enhance their function of supporting the frame and the load, and to space the carrier from a vehicle; and an adjustable belt connecting the upper end of the frame to the vehicle so that adjustment of the belt permits the frame to pivot about the cams so that it can be rotated downwardly to engage a load which, when attached to the frame, can be raised by appropriate adjustment of the belt to obviate the need to lift the load up to the upright carrier.The carrier can be readily removed from a vehicle by disconnecting the straps at their anchor points.

Abstract: A bicycle carrier is carried on the underside of a trunk lid in a manner such that it does not interfere with the closing of the lid, but when the lid is rotated into its open position, the bicycle carrier can be extended beyond the periphery of the lid to provide support for bicycles carried transversely thereof in a generally vertical position to the rear of the lid. With the supported bicycles removed from the carrier, it can be retracted into its concealed resting position on the underside of the lid so that the latter can be freely closed. The retractable carrier can be used in conjunction with both forwardly and rearwardly opening trunk lids.In brief, the bicycle carrier comprises a pair of assemblies affixed to the underside of a trunk lid adjacent to one edge thereof remote from its hinge axis.

Abstract: An opening formed in an automobile deck is closeable by a closure pivotedly mounted on the deck for forwardly pivotal movement into a closed position and for rearwardly pivotal movement into an open position in which it forms a seat back for a rumble seat which also includes a collapsible seat section which is hung from the closure or from the deck. Means are provided to fold the seat section against the undersurface of the closure when the latter is closed or open and to limit rearward pivotal movement of the closure. Additionally, means are provided to enable the closure, when in its open position, to be used as a bicycle rack.The described rumble seat structure may be utilized in combination with an existing trunk lid or a deck not incorporating a trunk lid.

Abstract: A heat pack is made by enclosing supercoolable aqueous sodium acetate solution together with a metallic activator strip in a sealed, flexible container. The activator strip is a flexible metal strip having one or more fissures or slits extending therethrough.To prepare the heat pack for activation, its contents are first heated to a temperature above the melting point of sodium acetate to completely melt it. Thereafter, the sodium acetate solution is supercooled. Activation or crystallization of the sodium acetate (with evolution of heat) is produced by bending the activator strip.