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 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 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: 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: 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 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: 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 ramp for use and integration with bicycle carriers for automobiles. The integrated ramp allows a user to roll a bicycle onto the bicycle carrier without using a separate ramp. The integrated ramp may include one or more integrated or removable ramp components that attach to a wheel securement arm of the bicycle carrier. The ramp components may include a ramp portion that folds or moves from a stowed position to a deployed position. In the stowed position the ramp portion does not interfere with the use of the wheel securement arm of the bicycle carrier to hold a bicycle on the carrier. In the deployed position the ramp portion serves as a ramp for rolling a bicycle onto the carrier.

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: An integrated lock for a bicycle rack allows the position of the lock cable to be adjusted along the length of the bicycle rack tray to best accommodate locking of the bicycle to the rack. This allows a bicycle to be placed facing either direction on the bicycle rack. The lock cable can be positioned on the bicycle rack at a preferred location for locking the bicycle, such as near the rear wheel of the bicycle. The lock cable may also be stored inside a channel in the support tray when not in use. The channel may provide both the storage cavity and the adjustment mechanism for the lock cable.

Abstract: A collapsible shelter includes an inwardly folding hinge configured to fold into a substantially flat configuration when the collapsible shelter is closed or collapsed for transport. The hinge may be configured to fold or pull flexible shelter walls inwardly as the shelter is opened or closed. The inward folding prevents or reduces interference of the flexible shelter walls with the closing or latching of the collapsible shelter in the closed configuration. A collapsible shelter may also require multiple latches to secure it in the closed configuration during transportation on a vehicle. A collapsible shelter may also be provided with an actuator configured to release or disengage all the latches with a single operation.

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.