Abstract: The invention provides improvements for an enclosed carrier configured for mounting on top of a car.

Abstract: A snowshoe includes numerous adjustment mechanisms for accommodating varied snow conditions and terrain.

Abstract: A coupling device for coupling a rack component, such as a crossbar, to a vehicle rack, and apparatus that include the coupling device. The coupling device includes a first portion for attachment to the rack component and a second portion for coupling to the vehicle rack. A fastener member moves along an axis to couple the second portion to the vehicle rack. The coupling device also includes a security mechanism. The security mechanism may be implemented volitionally and/or irreversibly. The security mechanism prohibits movement of the fastener member that would uncouple the second portion from the vehicle rack but allows limited movement of the fastener member along the axis. The limited movement adjusts the second portion between fixed and movable conditions on the vehicle rack, allowing the rack component to be re-positioned on the vehicle rack but not removed.

Abstract: The invention provides improvements for an enclosed carrier configured for mounting on top of a car.

Abstract: A snowshoe having a floatation structure and a binding configured to secure a wearer's foot to the snowshoe. The floatation structure is adapted to distribute the weight of the wearer over an area larger than the wearer's foot. The snowshoe may include a pivot adjuster secured to the snowshoe and configured to enable selective adjustment of pivotal movement occurring between the binding and the floatation structure. The pivot adjuster typically is configured to enable operation by the wearer while wearing the snowshoe. Additionally, or alternatively, the snowshoe may include a pivot limiter configured to enable selective adjustment of a permitted range of pivoting between the binding and floatation structure. In addition to or instead of these features, the snowshoe may include an extension configured for selective attachment to the floatation structure so as to permit selective variation of the area over which weight is distributed by the snowshoe.

Abstract: A bicycle rack for carrying a bicycle adjacent the rear of a vehicle. The bicycle rack includes an adjustable frame assembly having a first frame member attached to a housing and a second frame member attached to a connecting member. The connecting member is rotationally coupled to the housing to allow relative pivotal movement between the first and second frame members. A locking member is disposed within the housing and selectively movable between a first position, in which the locking member engages the connecting member to impede relative rotational movement between the connecting member and the housing, and a second position, in which the locking member is disengaged from the connecting member to allow relative rotational movement between the connecting member and the housing. At least one support arm is coupled to the housing and configured for sliding and pivotal movement between a stowed position and an extended position in which the arm engages the housing to support a bicycle adjacent the vehicle.

Abstract: A rack assembly for carrying recreational equipment on a vehicle. The assembly includes at least one mount attachable to the vehicle, and a load-carrying support member coupled to the mount and configured to support the recreational equipment adjacent the vehicle. At least one securing apparatus is associated with the load-carrying support member and configured to secure the equipment to the support member. The securing apparatus includes a strap adapted to extend at least partially around the recreational equipment, and a ratchet drive mechanism adapted to receive and grip one end of the strap. In one embodiment, the ratchet drive mechanism includes at least one drive actuator that is operable to grip successive portions of the strap and draw it tight around the recreational equipment.

Abstract: A coupling device for coupling a rack component, such as a crossbar, to a vehicle rack, and apparatus that include the coupling device. The coupling device includes a first portion for attachment to the rack component and a second portion for coupling to the vehicle rack. A fastener member moves along an axis to couple the second portion to the vehicle rack. The coupling device also includes a security mechanism. The security mechanism may be implemented volitionally and/or irreversibly. The security mechanism prohibits movement of the fastener member that would uncouple the second portion from the vehicle rack but allows limited movement of the fastener member along the axis. The limited movement adjusts the second portion between fixed and movable conditions on the vehicle rack, allowing the rack component to be re-positioned on the vehicle rack but not removed.

Abstract: A strap for securing cargo on a vehicle includes a strap and a buckle. The buckle has a releasable strap gripping device, and a cushioning material at least partially surrounding the buckle without obstructing accessibility to the gripping device.

Abstract: A bicycle rack for carrying a bicycle adjacent the rear of a vehicle. The bicycle rack includes an adjustable frame assembly having a first frame member attached to a housing and a second frame member attached to a connecting member. The connecting member is rotationally coupled to the housing to allow relative pivotal movement between the first and second frame members. A locking member is disposed within the housing and selectively movable between a first position, in which the locking member engages the connecting member to impede relative rotational movement between the connecting member and the housing, and a second position, in which the locking member is disengaged from the connecting member to allow relative rotational movement between the connecting member and the housing. At least one support arm is coupled to the housing and configured for sliding and pivotal movement between a stowed position and an extended position in which the arm engages the housing to support a bicycle adjacent the vehicle.

Abstract: A rack assembly for carrying recreational equipment on a vehicle. The assembly includes at least one mount attachable to the vehicle, and a load-carrying support member coupled to the mount and configured to support the recreational equipment adjacent the vehicle. At least one securing apparatus is associated with the load-carrying support member and configured to secure the equipment to the support member. The securing apparatus includes a strap adapted to extend at least partially around the recreational equipment, and a ratchet drive mechanism adapted to receive and grip one end of the strap. In one embodiment, the ratchet drive mechanism includes at least one drive actuator that is operable to grip successive portions of the strap and draw it tight around the recreational equipment.

Abstract: Apparatus for securing recreational equipment to a vehicle-mounted rack. The apparatus includes a load-carrying member adapted to carry recreational equipment adjacent a vehicle, and a clamping member adapted to secure the load-carrying member to a crossbar of the vehicle rack. The clamping member is configured to clamp to at least two different styles of crossbars to prevent relative movement between the load-carrying member and the crossbar. Optionally, the clamping member may be configured to snap onto the crossbar.

Abstract: A bicycle trailer has a bed portion supported by a frame assembly and a pair of wheels for transporting the bed portion over ground. The tongue member extends forward from the frame assembly. A hitch assembly is located on a distal end of the tongue member for coupling the trailer to a bike. The hitch assembly may include a ratchet device that permits tightening of a clamp to the bike preventing untightening of the clamp. Front and back hub members allow the trailer to be vertically collapsed to substantially reduce the side-to-side dimension of the trailer for storage or transport.

Abstract: An apparatus for securing articles to a vehicle-mounted rack. The apparatus includes at least one flexible strap associated with the rack. The strap is positionable around an article supported by the rack. A clamping buckle is adapted to receive and clamp onto the strap. A protective housing is adapted to receive and at least partially cover the buckle to protect the article and the vehicle from damage. In one embodiment, the strap may be attached to the housing to prevent the housing from being separated from the strap. In another embodiment, the housing may include one or more apertures to allow a user to operate the buckle when it is covered by the housing.

Abstract: A bicycle rack for carrying a bicycle adjacent the rear of a vehicle. The bicycle rack includes an adjustable frame assembly having a first frame member attached to a housing and a second frame member attached to a connecting member. The connecting member is rotationally coupled to the housing to allow relative pivotal movement between the first and second frame members. A locking member is disposed within the housing and selectively movable between a first position, in which the locking member engages the connecting member to impede relative rotational movement between the connecting member and the housing, and a second position, in which the locking member is disengaged from the connecting member to allow relative rotational movement between the connecting member and the housing. At least one support arm is coupled to the housing and configured for sliding and pivotal movement between a stowed position and an extended position in which the arm engages the housing to support a bicycle adjacent the vehicle.

Abstract: A vehicle load carrier configured to carry recreational equipment on the exterior of a vehicle, including a recreational equipment rack configured for exterior engagement with a vehicle and a coupling mechanism configured to secure an article to the recreational equipment rack. The coupling mechanism includes a tube having two opposed walls, a removable fastener member configured to be positioned between the opposed walls and a torque-receiving member for receiving an externally applied torque. The coupling mechanism is adapted so that the article is selectively clamped to and released from one of the opposed walls of the tube upon rotation of the torque-receiving member relative to the removable fastener member. The other of the opposed walls is configured to hold the removable fastener member fixed against rotation relative to the tube.

Abstract: A strap for securing cargo on a vehicle includes a strap and a buckle. The buckle has a releasable strap gripping device, and a cushioning material at least partially surrounding the buckle without obstructing accessibility to the gripping device.

Abstract: A bicycle rack for carrying a bicycle adjacent the rear of a vehicle. The bicycle rack includes an adjustable frame assembly having a first frame member attached to a housing and a second frame member attached to a connecting member. The connecting member is rotationally coupled to the housing to allow relative pivotal movement between the first and second frame members. A locking member is disposed within the housing and selectively movable between a first position, in which the locking member engages the connecting member to impede relative rotational movement between the connecting member and the housing, and a second position, in which the locking member is disengaged from the connecting member to allow relative rotational movement between the connecting member and the housing. At least one support arm is coupled to the housing and configured for sliding and pivotal movement between a stowed position and an extended position in which the arm engages the housing to support a bicycle adjacent the vehicle.

Abstract: A boat rack apparatus for carrying a boat on a vehicle roof rack. The apparatus includes one or more mounts configured for attachment adjacent a vehicle. Each mount includes a support region having a support surface constructed to slidably receive and support a boat above a vehicle roof, and a gripping pad movable from a recessed position to a protruding position to restrain the boat from sliding across the support surface. A securing strap is positionable over at least a portion of the boat and configured to hold the boat against the support regions when the strap is tightened. The securing strap passes around the gripping pad to move the pad to the protruding position and press it into contact with the boat. One or more connectors are optionally provided to attach the mounts to roof rack or boat trailer. The securing strap includes a lever-actuated buckle to join opposite ends of the securing strap. A buckle protective housing is optionally provided to protect the boat from damage by the buckle.