Abstract: A swingable accessory mount assembly includes a receiver mount configured for mounting to a hitch receiver of a vehicle. A first arm has a first end and a second end. The first end is attached to the receiver mount. The first arm extends laterally from the receiver mount to the second end. A second arm has a first end and a second end. The first end is pivotally attached to or near the second end of the first arm. The second arm is movable between a closed position and an open position relative to the first arm. A hitch adapter is attached to or near the second end of the second arm. When the second arm is in the closed position, the hitch adapter is located on an opposite lateral side of the receiver mount from the second end of the first arm.

Abstract: A spare tire mount for the rear of a motor vehicle has a first outer support frame with a second, inner support frame nested inside and releasably connected to the first frame. Both frames extend laterally across the back of the vehicle and extend upward at an angle. Both frames rotate about a vertical joint at the rear bumper so the frames rotate toward and away from the vehicle. The second frame holds the spare tire and rotates about a horizontal axis. A wire rope winds around a reel on the first frame with the rope connected to the second frame to raise and lower the second frame and tire as they rotate about the first horizontal axis—toward and away from the first frame and ground. The reel is rotated by a worm screw and worm wheel.

Abstract: A cargo carrier removably attaches to a square hitch receiver on the back of a vehicle. The cargo carrier is collapsible when not in use. A base plate has a series of first arms pivotally attached thereto each first arm extending outwardly for use and secured thereat and folding upwardly for storage. A removable plate secures the first arms in the extended position. A second arm is attached to an outer end of a first arm and pivots between an extended position extending upwardly from the first arm and a collapsed position flush against the first arm. Each second arm is lockable in its extended position. A flexible cable is attached to the distal end of each second arm to help retain cargo within the device.

Abstract: A vehicle includes a vehicle frame having D-ring latch and hinge assemblies coupled thereto. The D-ring latch and hinge assemblies include a latch and hinge sleeve, respectively. A tire carrier assembly is rotatably mounted to the D-ring hinge assembly, wherein the tire carrier assembly is repeatably moveable between raised and lowered positions.

Abstract: A vehicle includes a vehicle bumper attached to a vehicle frame. A tire carrier support structure is attached to the vehicle frame, wherein the vehicle bumper and tire carrier support structure are held together by a D-ring assembly. A tire carrier assembly having a tire carrier arm repeatably moveable between stowed and deployed positions, and raised and lowered positions, is carried by the tire carrier support structure.

Abstract: An article carrier configured to be detachably mounted to a trailer hitch of a vehicle is disclosed. The article carrier may include a frame having first and second end portions with the first end portion being pivotably mounted to the base allowing the frame to be selectively pivoted about a first axis between a substantially vertical position in which the frame extends upwardly from the base, and a substantially horizontal position in which the frame extends sidewardly from the base, the first axis being parallel to a longitudinal axis of the vehicle; and a carrier assembly connected to the second end portion of the frame and configured to support one or more articles.

Abstract: A cargo carrier removably attaches to a square hitch receiver on the back of a vehicle. The cargo carrier is collapsible when not in use. A base plate has a series of first arms pivotally attached thereto each first arm extending outwardly for use and secured thereat and folding upwardly for storage. A removable plate secures the first arms in the extended position. A second arm is attached to an outer end of a first arm and pivots between an extended position extending upwardly from the first arm and a collapsed position flush against the first arm. Each second arm is lockable in its extended position. A flexible cable is attached to the distal end of each second arm to help retain cargo within the device.

Abstract: An article carrier configured to be detachably mounted to a trailer hitch of a vehicle is disclosed. The article carrier may include a frame having first and second end portions with the first end portion being pivotably mounted to the base allowing the frame to be selectively pivoted about a first axis between a substantially vertical position in which the frame extends upwardly from the base, and a substantially horizontal position in which the frame extends sidewardly from the base, the first axis being parallel to a longitudinal axis of the vehicle; and a carrier assembly connected to the second end portion of the frame and configured to support one or more articles.

Abstract: A compact folding bicycle carrier has a frame, a folding lower foot member and a pair of folding articulated upper carrying members. The lower foot member is pivotally mounted to a lower end of the frame and constrained for limited movement relative thereto. Each articulated carrying member has a supporting arm and a carrying arm. One end of each supporting arm is pivotally mounted to an upper end of the frame at opposite sides thereof. Each carrying arm is associated with one supporting arm. Each carrying arm has a cradle for holding a bicycle adjacent one end and an upper foot at the other end. Each carrying arm, between the cradle and the upper foot, is pivotally mounted to its respective supporting arm. The supporting arms are constrained for limited movement relative to the frame and each carrying arm is constrained for limited movement relative to its respective supporting arm.

Abstract: A cargo carrier mountable onto a trailer hitch of a vehicle has a two-piece tubular housing having an internal chamber for accommodating link members and rigid bars used to retain the housing in an expanded open position. A hitch bar secured to the housing is adapted to be coupled to the trailer hitch on the vehicle.

Abstract: A swing-out hitch mounted equipment carrier that is movable between collapsed and extended positions has a rectangular insert that is sized and shaped to be received in a trailer hitch receiver affixed to a vehicle. A fixed arm is attached to the insert. A swing arm is pivotally connected to the fixed arm. A vertical member having an equipment carrier affixed on an upper end is pivotally connected at a lower end to the swing arm. The vertical member is constrained for rotational movement about its longitudinal axis, the equipment carrier rotating with the vertical member. A controller is provided for controlling the ratio of the relative movement of the swing arm and equipment carrier as the swing-out hitch mounted equipment carrier is moved between the collapsed and extended positions.

Abstract: A protective rear accessory bumper and integrated spare tire carrier for use on a host land vehicle providing protective features designed to minimize vehicle damage in rear-end vehicular collisions, and also providing rapid access to, and stowage of, a spare tire, by means of a pivoting tire carrier assembly, allowing a single person to change a heavy tire too heavy for the person to lift by hand.

Abstract: A swing-away hitch mounted equipment carrier that is movable between collapsed and extended positions has a rectangular insert that is sized and shaped to be received in a trailer hitch receiver affixed to a vehicle. A fixed arm is attached to the insert. A first swing arm is pivotally connected to the fixed arm and a second swing arm is pivotally connected to the first swing arm. A vertical member having an equipment carrier affixed on an upper end is pivotally connected at a lower end to the second swing arm. The vertical member is constrained for rotational movement about its longitudinal axis, the equipment carrier rotating with the vertical member. A first control member is provided for controlling the pivoting movement of the first and second swing arms as the swing-away hitch mounted equipment carrier is moved between the collapsed and extended positions.

Abstract: A foldable cargo carrying basket includes a mounting bar capable of being mounted to a vehicle hitch. Supported by a support bar and main frame member, the basket includes an upstanding front wall. A platform is pivotally coupled to the main support member and selectively movable between configurations perpendicular or parallel to the front wall. The basket includes side walls pivotally coupled to opposed struts of the front wall and movable between configurations perpendicular or parallel to the front wall. When coupled to the platform, the side walls receive a significant portion of any load forces encountered by a loaded platform. A rear wall may be pivotally coupled to the platform. The side walls may be coupled to the rear wall so as to be indirectly connected to the platform for load distribution. The platform and each wall include a framework with a metal mesh overlying respective frameworks.

Abstract: A spare tire carrier for securement to an end segment of a vehicle bumper and having a swingable arm for travel about horizontal and vertical axes to relocate a spare tire away from the rear of a vehicle and subsequently downward into ground contact. A bracket on a bumper attached mounting plate pivotally carries an arm actuator including oppositely threaded shafts and a sleeve thereon. A ratchet drive imparts rotational movement to the sleeve in a selected direction to either lift or lower the arm and spare tire thereon in a controlled manner and additionally prevents random vertical movement of the arm during vehicle travel. Locks engageable with the bracket and the arm prevent horizontal and upright travel of the arm when the vehicle is underway. The carrier may include a bracket, attachable to a hitch or vehicle frame, with a base plate at its outer end to support the carrier mounting plate. A modified preferred carrier includes an electrical linear actuator to control the carrier arm.

Abstract: A swivelling spare wheel carrier for a vehicle is provided which improves rear access to the vehicle body and the tailgate opening. The spare wheel carrier is connected to the vehicle body by a swivel joint. A swivelling axis of the swivel joint is disposed such that, by means of the spare wheel carrier, the spare wheel is movable from a travel position, in which it is behind the tailgate, into a rear access position, in which the spare wheel held by the spare wheel carrier is disposed at least in part with a region overlapping a rear part of a longitudinal side of the vehicle body.

Abstract: A bed extender apparatus for use with a truck bed of a vehicle such as a pickup truck. The bed extender includes a center wall having a pair of uprights at opposite ends thereof. A pair of end walls are pivotably coupled to the uprights and can be folded down over the center wall when the bed extender is not in use, or attached to sidewalls of the truck bed to place the bed extender in a bed extending configuration. The center wall is secured to an inside surface of a tailgate of the vehicle by a pair of mounting assemblies. The mounting assemblies allow the bed extender to be quickly slidably detached from the truck bed when not needed. The bed extender can also be installed within the truck bed to provide an article restraining function.

Abstract: A spare tire carrier for securement to an end segment of a vehicle bumper and having a swingable arm for travel about horizontal and vertical axes to relocate a spare tire away from the rear of a vehicle and subsequently downward into ground contact. A bracket on a bumper attached mounting plate pivotally carries an arm actuator including oppositely threaded shafts and a sleeve thereon. A ratchet drive imparts rotational movement to the sleeve in a selected direction to either lift or lower the arm and spare tire thereon in a controlled manner and additionally prevents random vertical movement of the arm during vehicle travel. Locks engageable with the bracket and the arm prevent horizontal and upright travel of the arm when the vehicle is underway. The carrier may include a bracket, attachable to a hitch or vehicle frame, with a base plate at its outer end to support the carrier mounting plate. A modified preferred carrier includes an electrical linear actuator to control the carrier arm.

Abstract: A support device for attaching a trap shooter to a vehicle, particularly a pick-up truck in, which a frame is affixed to a conventional square receiver located below the bumper on the pick-up truck, the frame projecting away from the truck and upwardly, and terminating in a platform upon which the trap shooter is located. The platform is capable of rotation and its spacing from the tailgate can be controlled to allow easy access by an operator for easy loading of disks carried on the pick-up truck body.

Abstract: A formed steel tilt bracket has a cylindrical section which wraps around a bike support tube forming a visually pleasing and cost-effective solution to the problem of joining a round tube with a square hitch extension. The tilt bracket engages and supports an upstanding circular tube for mounting bicycles or the like. The bracket has a plane of symmetry aligned with the rectangular hitch extension. The plane of symmetry passes through a cylindrical portion of the bracket which is intersected only once by the plane of symmetry, the cylindrical portion wraps over 180 degrees of the upstanding tube circumference. The cylindrical portion has a first substantially triangular extension and a second substantially triangular extension arranged symmetrically about the plane of symmetry and forming therebetween a passage for the square receiver tube.

Abstract: A bicycle rack adapted to be detachably mounted to a vehicle via a standard trailer hitch receiver with the bicycle rack having a vertical support pivotally connected at its lower end to a base assembly with a bicycle carrier assembly connected to the upper end of the vertical support. The bicycle carrier assembly includes two generally rectangular plates detachably connected together adapted to receive the crossbars of bicycles. A pin releasably locks the vertical support in an upright position. Upon removal of the pin the vertical support pivots rearwardly away from the vehicle. Tail lights are mounted on the carrier assembly.

Abstract: A dirt bike carrier (10) for a hitch receiver (12) under a rear bumper (14) in a motor vehicle (16) comprising a box tube (18) having a first end (20) mounted within the hitch receiver (12). A stanchion (22) is provided. A structure (24) is for turning a first end (26) of the stanchion (22) being at a right angle to a second end (28) of the box tube (18), so that the stanchion (22) can go from a horizontal position "A" into a vertical position "B". A support frame (30) maintains a dirt bike (32) thereon. A facility (34) is for pivoting the support frame (30) centrally to a second end (36) of the stanchion (22), so that the support frame (30) can go from a lowered horizontal position "C" to a raised horizontal position "D", with the dirt bike (32) thereon.