Abstract: A latch assembly is described for use with a pivoting hitch device that allows the pivoting of a bicycle rack away from the rear of a vehicle to allow access to a lift gate, tail gate, trunk, hatchback, or other rear access point for a vehicle. The pivoting hitch device has two support members that are pivotally attached to one another. The latch assembly is attached to one of the support members of the pivoting hitch device, and may have an actuator, a latch bar, and a connecting member that connects the actuator to the latch bar. A latch member is attached to the other support member of the pivoting hitch device. The latch bar engages the latch member to secure the two support members in relation to one another and prevent pivotal movement.

Abstract: A latch assembly is described for use with a pivoting hitch device that allows the pivoting of a bicycle rack away from the rear of a vehicle to allow access to a lift gate, tail gate, trunk, hatchback, or other rear access point for a vehicle. The pivoting hitch device has two support members that are pivotally attached to one another. The latch assembly is attached to one of the support members of the pivoting hitch device, and may have an actuator, a latch bar, and a connecting member that connects the actuator to the latch bar. A latch member is attached to the other support member of the pivoting hitch device. The latch bar engages the latch member to secure the two support members in relation to one another and prevent pivotal movement.

Abstract: An improved ratchet mechanism for the tire arm of a bicycle carrier comprises a guide component disposed inside an extendable inner arm of the tire arm, a pushrod body movably held by the guide component, and a ratchet pawl rotatably supported in relation to the guide component. An actuator on the tire arm moves a pushrod inside the inner arm to move the pushrod body causing the ratchet pawl to disengage from a ratchet rack on the tire arm, allowing the inner arm to be extended by a user. The guide component guides the movement of the pushrod body to disengage a tooth portion of the ratchet pawl from the ratchet rack. The guide component, ratchet pawl, and the pushrod body comprise an improved ratchet assembly for use in an extendable tire arm for a bicycle carrier.

Abstract: An improved ratchet mechanism for the tire arm of a bicycle carrier comprises a guide component disposed inside an extendable inner arm of the tire arm, a pushrod body movably held by the guide component, and a ratchet pawl rotatably supported in relation to the guide component. An actuator on the tire arm moves a pushrod inside the inner arm to move the pushrod body causing the ratchet pawl to disengage from a ratchet rack on the tire arm, allowing the inner arm to be extended by a user. The guide component guides the movement of the pushrod body to disengage a tooth portion of the ratchet pawl from the ratchet rack. The guide component, ratchet pawl, and the pushrod body comprise an improved ratchet assembly for use in an extendable tire arm for a bicycle carrier.

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 improved ratchet mechanism for the tire arm of a bicycle carrier comprises a guide component disposed inside an extendable inner arm of the tire arm, a pushrod body movably held by the guide component, and a ratchet pawl rotatably supported in relation to the guide component. An actuator on the tire arm moves a pushrod inside the inner arm to move the pushrod body causing the ratchet pawl to disengage from a ratchet rack on the tire arm, allowing the inner arm to be extended by a user. The guide component guides the movement of the pushrod body to disengage a tooth portion of the ratchet pawl from the ratchet rack. The guide component, ratchet pawl, and the pushrod body comprise an improved ratchet assembly for use in an extendable tire arm for a bicycle carrier.

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 carrier for ski equipment comprises a rigid lower cross member and a lower membrane attached to an upper surface of the lower cross member; a rigid upper cross member pivotally attached to the lower cross member at first end thereof by a hinge, and an upper membrane attached to a lower surface of the upper cross member; a latch configured to secure the upper cross member in a closed position with respect to the lower cross member; wherein the upper and lower membranes comprise a plurality of transversely offset rows of longitudinally spaced protrusions; and wherein when the upper cross member is in the closed position, each of the plurality of rows of protrusions on the upper membrane interlocks with one of the plurality of rows of protrusions on the lower membrane to fill the gap between the upper and lower cross members.

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 cargo container for a vehicle roof has dual latch handles, with one latch handle on each side of the cargo container. The cargo container comprises a lid that may be in closed or open configurations. In the closed configuration, the latch handles may be in a locked or unlocked state. In the unlocked state the latches may be latched or unlatched. The cargo container may be reconfigured from closed to open configurations when either of the latches is in the unlocked and unlatched state, even if the other latch is in the locked state or the unlocked, latched state. This allows a user to open the cargo container without walking around to both sides of a vehicle to unlocking both latches. The cargo container does not require a dual hinge system to function in the described manner.

Abstract: A releasable attachment device for mounting a component to a t-slot or similar channel includes an actuator for latching, unlatching, and disengaging a bolt from the t-slot or similar channel. In the latched configuration the releasable attachment device secures the component to the t-slot. The actuator may comprise a lever for rotating a cam mechanism on a first axis. The rotation of the cam mechanism translates a bolt from a latched position to an unlatched position. The actuator may rotate in a second axis to rotate the bolt from an unlatched position to a disengaged position. In the disengaged position the releasable attachment device may be removed from the t-slot. The device may have an adjustment bolt to adjust the device to secure to different sizes of t-channels.

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 vertical bicycle rack is described with an adjustable tire cradle to provide optimal support to bicycles having different widths of tires. The adjustable tire cradle has two tire retention members that may be moved with respect to one another to change the distance between them to match a desired tire size. The adjustable cradle reduces movement of a bicycle tire in the cradle during use and reduces movement of and damage to bicycles stored in the rack. The tire retention members may be attached to the bicycle rack by separate brackets, one of which may be movable. The tire retention members may also be supported on the same bracket provided with a mechanism for moving one or both of the tire retention members to alter the distance between them.

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 mechanism for clamping a drawbar in a receiver hitch uses a clamp pad to engage two adjacent interior surfaces of the receiver hitch tube. The clamp pad presses outwardly on the receiver hitch tube causing the opposing corner of the drawbar to engage the other sides of the receiver hitch tube. The clamp pad is extended and retracted by a shuttle member disposed inside the drawbar tube. The clamp may be self-aligning with respect to the receiver hitch. An adjustment mechanism is described for translating the shuttle member. An extendable pin mechanism may be actuated by the shuttle assembly. A locking mechanism may be provided to prevent an unauthorized person from releasing the clamp pad and the extendable pin.

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 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 mechanism for clamping a drawbar in a receiver hitch uses a clamp pad to engage two adjacent interior surfaces of the receiver hitch tube. The clamp pad presses outwardly on the receiver hitch tube causing the opposing corner of the drawbar to engage the other sides of the receiver hitch tube. The clamp pad is extended and retracted by a shuttle member disposed inside the drawbar tube. The clamp may be self-aligning with respect to the receiver hitch. An adjustment mechanism is described for translating the shuttle member. An extendable pin mechanism may be actuated by the shuttle assembly. A locking mechanism may be provided to prevent an unauthorized person from releasing the clamp pad and the extendable pin.