Abstract: A bicycle carrier for an automobile comprises a platform for supporting the wheels of a bicycle and a wheel securement arm attached to the platform. The wheel securement arm can be pivotally attached to the platform to secure a wheel of a bicycle on the platform. A control arm can be attached to the platform and the wheel securement arm to releasably fix the wheel securement arm in a desired position with respect to the platform. The control arm can be slidably connected to the wheel securement arm to modify the position of the wheel securement arm. The desired position of the wheel securement arm can be with a portion of the wheel securement arm in contact with the tire of a bicycle or it can be with the wheel securement arm folded against the platform.

Abstract: A utility rack for use with a truck may incorporate removable panels to partially or fully enclose the cargo bed of the truck. The utility rack may comprise a structural frame for supporting cargo, and removable panels for attaching to the structural frame to form a shell. Portions of the structural frame may be available to support cargo while the removable panels are attached to the structural frame. In some versions of the utility rack, the removable panels may be attached to and detached from the structural frame while cargo is supported by the structural frame. In some versions the utility rack with the removable panels attached creates a weather resistant shell on the cargo bed of the truck.

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: Equipment such as bicycle racks are often delivered to the end user in a partially assembled state. The component subassemblies may be heavy or unwieldy in size, making it difficult for the end user to hold the subassemblies in the correct positions with respect to each other while attaching the fasteners that hold the subassemblies together while the equipment is in use. An equipment rack is described having features that hold the subassemblies in an assembled configuration while the operational fasteners are added or engaged to hold the equipment rack in its final, assembled configuration. These features may be surface features that the end user is able to engage with each other to provide support to subassemblies and hold them in the proper orientation and position while the operational fasteners are aligned, inserted, tightened, or otherwise affixed to the assembled parts.

Abstract: Equipment such as bicycle racks are often delivered to the end user in a partially assembled state. The component subassemblies may be heavy or unwieldy in size, making it difficult for the end user to hold the subassemblies in the correct positions with respect to each other while attaching the fasteners that hold the subassemblies together while the equipment is in use. An equipment rack is described having features that hold the subassemblies in an assembled configuration while the operational fasteners are added or engaged to hold the equipment rack in its final, assembled configuration. These features may be surface features that the end user is able to engage with each other to provide support to subassemblies and hold them in the proper orientation and position while the operational fasteners are aligned, inserted, tightened, or otherwise affixed to the assembled parts.

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: Equipment such as bicycle racks are often delivered to the end user in a partially assembled state. The component subassemblies may be heavy or unwieldy in size, making it difficult for the end user to hold the subassemblies in the correct positions with respect to each other while attaching the fasteners that hold the subassemblies together while the equipment is in use. An equipment rack is described having features that hold the subassemblies in an assembled configuration while the operational fasteners are added or engaged to hold the equipment rack in its final, assembled configuration. These features may be surface features that the end user is able to engage with each other to provide support to subassemblies and hold them in the proper orientation and position while the operational fasteners are aligned, inserted, tightened, or otherwise affixed to the assembled parts.

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: A rack is described for securing equipment, such as a kayak, to a vehicle. The rack has a base member for attaching to the vehicle, a support member pivotally attached to the base member, and an actuator that is operable to engage or disengage a latch mechanism that fixes the movement of the support member in one or more desired positions in relation to the base member. The actuator may be actuated from either side of the base. The actuator may extend transversely across the lengthwise axis of the base member. The opposite ends of the actuator may each be displaced toward one end of the base to release the support member and allow it to pivot with respect to the base member.

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 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 for attaching to the vehicle, a support member pivotally attached to the base member, and an actuator that is operable to engage or disengage a latch mechanism that fixes the movement of the support member in one or more desired positions in relation to the base member. The actuator may be actuated from either side of the base. The actuator may extend transversely across the lengthwise axis of the base member. The opposite ends of the actuator may each be displaced toward one end of the base to release the support member and allow it to pivot with respect to the base member.

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.