Abstract: A hitch-type equipment carrier for mounting to a vehicle includes a coupling member, a brace member fixed to the coupling member, and a wedge member that is movable relative to the coupling member. A manually operable actuator is positioned between the brace member and the wedge member. When the coupling member is positioned within the hitch receiver passage, operation of the actuator moves the wedge member in a first direction toward the open end of the hitch receiver passage. The wedge member moves outwardly upon advancement through the open end of the hitch receiver passage. Such transverse movement of the wedge member brings the wedge member into contact with one or more walls of the hitch receiver, which forces the coupling member against one or more of almost walls of the hitch receiver for preventing rattle of the coupling member within the passage of the hitch receiver.

Abstract: A bike carrier for a trailer hitch receiver with two bike wheel carrying trays pivotally mounted to a bike carrying tray assembly to pivot between a co-aligned laterally opposed operational position and a folded position for shipping and storage. A tray position lock bar or lever is urged upward beside each tray by a spring, automatically releasably locking the tray in the operational position. The trays may be mounted on a tray crossbar that is mounted between side plates of the assembly. The tray crossbar may have a slot beside the trays in which a tray lock lever for each tray is pivotally mounted. A rotation stop may be mounted on the crossbar between the two trays that stops the trays in the parallel position when rotating the trays toward each other.

Abstract: A supporting structure is provided for a bike-carrying rack which includes a main body. The supporting structure includes a supporting member having a pivot portion pivoted to the main body, and a position-restricting assembly. The pivot portion has an axis, and the supporting member pivotally swings about the axis to be in a carrying position or a folded position. The position-restricting assembly has two restricting members assembled on the main body, the two restricting members are located by two opposite sides of the pivot portion, and a connection direction of the two restricting members is oblique to the axis. When being in the carrying position, the supporting member abuts against the two restricting members; and when being in the folded position, the supporting member at least non-abuts against one of the two restricting members. A bike-carrying rack including the supporting structure is further provided.

Abstract: A fastening structure for bicycle rack includes a connection rod, a slidable member, an adjusting member and an abutting block. The connection rod is inserted into an assembling rod of an automobile. First, second and third directions are defined to be perpendicular to one another, and the connection rod includes a restriction hole along the third direction. The slidable member is slidably arranged in the connection rod and has a first abutted portion. The adjusting member is disposed through the assembling rod and the connection rod along the second direction, assembled to the slidable member in the connection rod, and slidable between first and second positions along the second direction. The abutting block is arranged in the connection rod and has an abutting portion and a second abutted portion, and the first abutted portion abuts against the second abutted portion.

Abstract: A bicycle rack is configured for mounting to a hitch behind a vehicle. The bike rack may include a mast and a mechanism for locking the mast in an upright position, or alternatively, permitting downward rotation of the mast away from the vehicle for access purposes. The rack includes arms and mounting devices for supporting various tubular components for the bicycle frame.

Abstract: A vehicle mounted bicycle carrier having an elongated shaft with a splined profile along at least a portion of its length, a plurality of rotatable members removably mounted to the shaft and a plurality of collar assemblies removably mounted to the shaft. The plurality of members feature a first member having at least one arm with an aperture defined by an edge having a grooved profile in cross-section that is suitable for mating with the portion of the shaft having the splined profile. The plurality of members also having additional members that are suitable for rotating about the splined portion of the shaft. The plurality of members having a plurality of interlocking teeth that facilitate in securing the members together at the desired angular relationship.

Abstract: A telescopic bicycle carrier installed on a vehicle so as to be able to load a bicycle outside the vehicle, may include a guide rail located inside a bumper of the vehicle and fixed to an end of a body of the vehicle, a guide frame slidably installed on the guide rail along a lengthwise direction of the vehicle, a pair of expansion brackets installed on lateral sides of the guide frame and slidable toward or away from each other with respect to the guide frame in a widthwise direction of the vehicle through the guide frame, bicycle wheel fixtures pivotally installed on the pair of expansion brackets to fix wheels of the loaded bicycle, and bicycle body fixtures pivotally installed on the pair of expansion brackets to fix a body of the loaded bicycle, wherein the pair of expansion brackets may be received inside the bumper along with the guide frame in a retracted state where the expansion brackets slide toward each other into the guide frame, and may be extracted from the bumper along with the guide frame if

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a bicycle carrier for a vehicle, which is housed in the rear bumper of the vehicle to be concealed and when necessary is drawn out from the rear bumper to carry a bicycle. The bicycle carrier includes a front frame positioned in a rear bumper of the vehicle and secured to a rear end of a vehicle body. A central frame perpendicularly passes through the front frame. A rear frame is secured to a rear end of the central frame. A folding unit couples each of opposite ends of the front frame with each of opposite ends of the rear frame and is folded to vary a distance between the front frame and the rear frame. A bicycle wheel support is provided on the folding unit. A bicycle body support is provided on the central frame.

Abstract: A bicycle rack is configured for mounting to a hitch behind a vehicle. The bike rack may include a mast and a mechanism for locking the mast in an upright position, or alternatively, permitting downward rotation of the mast away from the vehicle for access purposes. The rack includes arms and mounting devices for supporting various tubular components for the bicycle frame.

Abstract: A modulator for supporting arms of a rear bicycle carrier comprises a support frame including a central post having two ends with which first and second supporting arms are connected; a ratchet holder integrally formed with or separately disposed on the connecting position of the central post, and including a plurality of inner teeth arranged around the internal periphery thereof; a connecting shaft inserted through the ratchet holder, on the two sides of an intermediate seat of the connecting shaft being mounted two ratchet members for engaging with the inner teeth of the ratchet holder; a control unit fixed on a predetermined position of the rear bicycle carrier for being rotated clockwise or counterclockwise to disengage at least one ratchet member from the inner teeth of the ratchet holder such that the first and second supporting arms can be adjusted toward a suitable angle relative to the central post.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a lockable, adjustable pole support rail allowing a user to adjust a mounted pole to vertical on sloping terrain. The apparatus has multiple embodiments and useful applications, in that it can be attached to a vehicle's hitch receiver, or can be self-supporting utilizing fold-out stabilizing or attachable legs, for example. In addition, the apparatus may include wheels, thus permitting ease of transport to or from a vehicle. The pole can be deployed with a range of attachments or devices depending on the application. Exemplary applications include a photography camera, a surveillance camera, an infra-red camera, an antenna, loudspeakers, lighting equipment, signage, weather monitoring equipment, inspection equipment, and detection equipment.

Abstract: A carrier for bicycles or other objects which is adapted to be mounted in a hitch receiver of a vehicle. The carrier being adapted to pivot downwardly away from the rear of the vehicle to allow for improved access to the rear doors of the vehicle. The carrier including one or more spring mechanisms such as cylinder and piston combinations, mounted to both control the rate of downward tilting of a rack and to assist in the lifting of the rack back to its load carrying position and release lever means for preventing loading or unloading of the cylinder and piston combinations when the rack is tilted.

Abstract: A spare tire and wheel assembly is stowed on a rear tail gate of a motor vehicle by a carrier. The carrier is pivoted to rigid vehicle frame structure beneath the rear tail gate for vertical swinging movement about a transverse horizontal axis from a generally upright stowage position downwardly to a rearwardly extending, lower position. A latch mechanism releasably latches the carrier to the tail gate in the stowage position. The tire and wheel assembly is releasably mounted on the carrier.

Abstract: A universal folding carrier for carrying objects on tailgates of pickup trucks and trunk lids of automobiles or the like has a substantially U-shaped frame, a substantially U-shaped carrying member and a substantially U-shaped supporting member. The folding carrier is movable between a folded or storage position and a locked extended or operational position. The carrying arm is pivotally mounted to the frame and the supporting member is pivotally mounted to the frame. A latching assembly includes a pair of first brackets. The first brackets are mounted on opposite sides of the frame. A pair of second brackets is mounted to opposite sides of the carrying member, each second bracket having a ramp portion and a latch. A latching assembly with first and second latching members is mounted to the first brackets. Each latching member has an engaging pin, the engaging pins extending from opposite ends of the latching members.

Abstract: A quick connect assembly for mounting a bicycle rack to a vehicle bumper includes a mounting bracket securely connectable to the bumper and a pivoting arm integrally connected to the bicycle rack and mountable to the mounting bracket. The mounting bracket has a horizontal base member and a vertical wall extending from the rear edge of the base member. Along each lateral edge of the base member is a vertical side wall having through apertures for receiving portions of the pivoting arm. A latch plate is centrally located on the mounting bracket between the two side walls. The latch plate has notches formed therein for receiving a latch pin of the pivoting arm to hold the bicycle rack in the vertically upward position or the horizontal working position. An arcuate cam formation separates the notches. The pivoting arm has spaced side plates each having a side extending peg for disposition in the apertures of the side walls.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a light-weight tiltable hauling device for transporting smaller, auxiliary vehicles, where such device mounts to the hitch of an automobile, truck, van, SUV, RV, or other similar motor vehicles, the device can be mounted and removed by a single individual, the auxiliary vehicle can be easily loaded and unloaded by a single individual, and the device can transport auxiliary vehicles weighing up to 700 pounds.

Abstract: A bicycle support rack adapted to be mounted in a hitch receiver of a vehicle including a hollow upstanding tube having a parallel rod running therethrough, both extending from a lower hitch bar upwardly to a top plate. The top plate supporting a pair of rearwardly extending arms upon which one or more bicycles may be mounted for carrying by the vehicle. The tube and internal parallel rod both being adapted to pivot rearwardly while maintaining the bicycle supporting arms in a substantially parallel orientation with the vehicle hitch receiver. The tilting movement of the rack providing improved access to the rear of the vehicle.

Abstract: A Bumper and bike rack assembly especially suitable for use as the front bumper assembly of a bus.

Abstract: A carrier having a foot member, a post and a top member. The foot member has a first end and a second connecting end adapted to be detachably connected to a hitch of a vehicle. A bottom end of the post is connected to the first end of the foot member and extends upwardly therefrom in an operational position. The top member is pivotally connected to a top end of the post and is displaceable between a deployed operative position where at least a carrying portion thereof extends away from the vehicle and a collapsed inoperative position where the carrying portion and a major part of the top member are located between a longitudinal axis the post and the vehicle. Retaining means selectively retain the top member at least in the deployed position.

Abstract: An apparatus for carrying a spare tire is described. The apparatus is a spare tire assembly configured to interface with a vehicle hitch. The apparatus comprises a hitch receiver, a bumper frame, a spare tire holder, an adjustable bolt, and an adjust come. The hitch receiver is configured to interface with the hitch from a vehicle. The bumper frame is fixedly coupled to the hitch receiver. The bumper frame is on a horizontal axis. The spare tire holder is rotatably coupled to the bumper frame with a hinged element that is configured to swing vertically about the horizontal axis. The hinged element also includes an aperture or hole, which receives a locking pin that locks the spare tire holder in an upright position. The adjustable bolt and adjustable cone are configured to receive different size spare tires. When the spare tire holder is in a downward position, the user can have access to a cargo box. In one illustrative embodiment, the cargo box has a utility rack and includes doors that swing outwardly.

Abstract: This invention relates generally to a trailer for towing light weight items such as Motorcycles, All Terrain Vehicles, Jet Skis, garden tractors, mowers, golf carts or other miscellaneous loads. The Transporter embodied in this invention takes advantage of a fixed attachment to the rear of a towing vehicle that has a hinged interface to the trailer which allows vertical motion between the trailer and the towing vehicle but eliminates the sideways motions or yaw. The Transporter also has one or more castor type wheels which allow the trailer to be backed as an extension of the towing vehicle without danger of jackknifing. The castor wheels are easily removed allowing the side of the Transporter to rest on the ground, creating a ramp to drive the vehicle to be transported onto the Transporter. The side of the Transporter can then be lifted with a typical jack and the castor wheel assembly or assemblies slipped into place and fastened.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a payload bin assembly that is stably coupled to zero-turn and non-zero-turn mowers alike. In various embodiments, the payload bin assembly is comprised of a durable payload support frame having a first end and a second end. A payload bin is pivotally coupled proximate the first end of the payload support frame. The payload support frame is supported at its first and second ends by a wheel-based support assembly and a mower-based support assembly, respectively.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a light-weight tiltable hauling device for transporting smaller, auxiliary vehicles, where such device mounts to the hitch of an automobile, truck, van, SUV, RV, or other similar motor vehicles, the device can be mounted and removed by a single individual, the auxiliary vehicle can be easily loaded and unloaded by a single individual, and the device can transport auxiliary vehicles weighing up to 700 pounds.

Abstract: A vehicle rack includes a non-pivotal portion and a pivotal portion. The non-pivotal portion is adapted to be mounted on a motor vehicle such as a public transportation vehicle such as a bus, a trolley, train, van, or car. The pivotal portion, when in the bicycle receiving position, includes in a preferred embodiment retractable arms to hold bicycles in place by their tires. The bicycle rack includes elements that assist in the raising of the pivotal portion from the vehicle receiving position into a stowed position and for lowering the pivotal portion from the stowed position to the bicycle receiving portion. Other elements assist in the single-handed reposition-ability.

Abstract: A quick connection and release assembly for releasably mounting a bicycle rack on the bumper of a motor vehicle. The assembly includes a bumper plate structure adapted to be fixedly secured to the bumper by fasteners and defining at least one tongue extending upwardly from an upper edge thereof and a bicycle rack plate structure adapted to be fixedly secured to a rear face of the bike rack base plate by fasteners and including an aperture proximate an upper edge thereof sized to receive the tongue and retractable pins proximate lower side edges thereof for positioning behind a lower edge portion of the bumper plate structure.

Abstract: There is disclosed a storage rack that can onload, secure, and offload a human transporter device such as a SEGWAY HT. The storage rack is attached to a vehicle such as a postal vehicle. The vehicle can thus transport a human transporter while the human transporter is itself secured to the storage rack. The storage rack includes a ramp. A human transporter can be loaded onto the storage rack under its own power by moving up the ramp, and the human transporter can be offloaded from the storage rack under its own power by moving down the ramp. The ramp is secured to the storage rack in an upright position when the carrying vehicle is in motion.

Abstract: A quick connect assembly for mounting a bicycle rack to a vehicle bumper includes a mounting bracket securely connectable to the bumper and a pivoting arm integrally connected to the bicycle rack and mountable to the mounting bracket. The mounting bracket has a horizontal base member and a vertical wall extending from the rear edge of the base member. Along each lateral edge of the base member is a vertical side wall having through apertures for receiving portions of the pivoting arm. A latch plate is centrally located on the mounting bracket between the two side walls. The latch plate has notches formed therein for receiving a latch pin of the pivoting arm to hold the bicycle rack in the vertically upward position or the horizontal working position. An arcuate cam formation separates the notches. The pivoting arm has spaced side plates each having a side extending peg for disposition in the apertures of the side walls.

Abstract: A bicycle rack is provided for connection to a vehicle, and especially a bus for the transport of a bicycle. The bicycle rack has a frame pivotally connected to a bracket which is connectable to a front of a bus. A pair of elongate cradles traverse the frame of the rack. Each elongate cradle is capable of receiving a bicycle. Each elongate cradle includes a rear wheel cradle and a front wheel cradle. The front wheel cradle has a spring operated wheel lock. The wheel lock includes a rotatable armature which overlays and holds the front tire of the bicycle in a locked position. The armature is actuated by the weight of the front wheel or by the manual activation of an adjacent handle.

Abstract: An equipment carrier, such as a bicycle rack, is adapted for removable mounting to a vehicle and includes a first frame and a second frame interconnected by one or more hubs. The first frame is engaged with the hubs so as to be axially movable relative to the lower frame and the hubs. The first frame defines a forward engagement area adapted for engagement with the rear of the vehicle, and the second frame defines an outer engagement area adapted to engage the vehicle at a location vertically spaced from the forward engagement area. The second frame is pivotably mounted to the hubs for movement between an operative extended position and an inoperative collapsed position. A variable position engagement arrangement is interposed between the hubs and the first frame, for selectively fixing the axial position of the first frame relative to the hubs.

Abstract: A rack for securing wheeled vehicles, particularly bicycles, includes wheel-receiving wells for receiving the front wheel of the vehicle and contacting the wheel at least at two points. A wheel-engaging arm, pivotally mounted to the rack, is pivoted upwardly and is extensible outwardly against a biasing element. The arm is adapted to engage the wheel of the bicycle at least at a third point for securely holding the vehicle.

Abstract: A rack for transporting personal pontoon watercraft. The rack has an anchor member which inserts in a standard trailer hitch receptacle and a support structure to which the watercraft is attached. Pivoting embodiments also have a pivot hinge which provides for the support structure to pivot between a down position for loading and an up position for transport, and a support brace which secures the rack in an up or transport position. The pivot hinge attaches the bottom end of the support structure to the rear end of the anchor member. The support structure includes one or more pairs of cradles into which the deck of the watercraft is slid which hold the watercraft in a vertical position for transport.

Abstract: A bicycle rack is provided for connection to a vehicle, and especially a bus for the transport of a bicycle. The bicycle rack has a frame pivotally connected to a bracket which is connectable to a front of a bus. A pair of elongate cradles traverse the frame of the rack. Each elongate cradle is capable of receiving a bicycle. Each elongate cradle includes a rear wheel cradle and a front wheel cradle. The front wheel cradle has a spring operated wheel lock. The wheel lock includes a rotatable armature which overlays and holds the front tire of the bicycle in a locked position. The armature is actuated by the weight of the front wheel or by the manual activation of an adjacent handle.

Abstract: A spare tire holder device mounted in a hitch receiver and holding the spare tire upright behind the tail gate of a pickup truck. The device is rotatable so the holder maintains the spare tire upright in a normal position and can be rotated away so as to hold the spare tire in a horizontal position to allow opening of the tail gate without removing the mount device from the truck.

Abstract: The present invention provides a multipurpose activity frame for a vehicle articulating roof rack system including a vehicle articulating roof rack system having a selectively removable portion operable between a stowed roof mounted position and a slideably and pivotally repositionable back end mounted position, a stationary top portion received by the selectively removable portion of the articulating roof rack system, and a rotatable bottom portion operable between a stowed vertical position and an open horizontal position received by the stationary top portion.

Abstract: A motorcycle lifting device and carrier rack assembly for lifting and carrying a motorcycle on a vehicle is provided. The vehicle has a receiver hitch. The assembly comprises a carrier rail secured to the receiver hitch and alternatingly movable from a stowed position to a deployed position with the carrier rail receiving the motorcycle. A lifting and lowering mechanism lifts the carrier rail from the deployed position to the stowed position and lowers the carrier rail from the deployed position to the stowed position wherein the carrier rail remains substantially parallel to the ground in both the stowed position and the deployed position and during lifting and lowering of the carrier rail.

Abstract: A car-mounted bicycle or wheelchair carrier that enables a bicycle to be easily and quickly loaded and unloaded, that can be completely stored in the trunk in a compact fashion when it is not being used and be removed from the trunk in a one-step operation, that can be easily mounted to any existing cars, that can reliably immobilize a bicycle or wheelchair when the car is being driven, that can be applied to various types of bicycles as well as to wheelchairs, and that can be manufactured at low cost.

Abstract: A portable, easily installed and uninstalled, support scaffold to carry oversize cargo in vehicle storage compartments. The device can be temporarily secured within the storage compartment, or if desired, the adjustable support frame can be permanently installed. The size of the support frame is adjustable in all three dimensions and includes an adjustable arm that is located on the rear end of the frame device. The arm extends outwardly from the frame to outside the compartment. There is an extension from the arm that can be adjusted to rest on the bumper or trailer hitch to provide extra support for the cargo that sits on the arm. If the cargo is so long that the center of mass is outside the compartment, the arm can be extended further outside the vehicle to prevent an additional moment from being placed on the contact between the cargo and the arm.

Abstract: A pivotable carrier assembly for mounting to a vehicle trailer hitch. The carrier assemble includes a lower support which is mounted to the hitch, and a pivotable upright support having a rack head rotatably mounted to the upper end thereof. A linkage rotates the head in response to the upright support being pivoted away from the vehicle, so as to maintain the load in an upright orientation. The linkage includes upper and lower crank links which are connected by an elongate actuating rod. The rack may be configured to carry any suitable cargo, including bicycles or skis, for example.

Abstract: A vehicle hitch supported cargo carrier mechanism connectable to the hitch of the vehicle located above a ground surface utilizing an adapter. The adapter connects to the hitch of the vehicle. A base member is connected to the adapter and utilizes an upright element, which extends outwardly from the adapter. A platform capable of carrying cargo links to connector. The connector is rotatably fastened to the upright element permitting the platform to also rotate from a horizontal position to a vertical position. A lock fixes the rotational movement of the platform as desired between the horizontal and vertical position.

Abstract: A racking assembly for securely storing and transporting recreational equipment on vehicles includes a hitch mount, an equipment support assembly, and pair of support members having lower ends pivotally coupled to the hitch mount and upper ends pivotally coupled to the equipment support assembly. The support members are configured to allow the racking assembly to collapse away from a user placing equipment thereon so that injury is prevented from the weight of the equipment causing the racking assembly to collapse onto a user.

Abstract: A combination bicycle mount and a collapsible holder by which the bicycle mount is removably coupled to an existing trailer hitch of a motor vehicle. With the bicycle mount uncoupled from the collapsible holder, the holder is adapted to be folded into a compact package to facilitate transport and storage between uses. The bicycle mount includes upper and lower retaining plates between which a single bicycle frame bar or a pair of bicycle frame bars are received and retained. A threaded locking bolt extends between the upper and lower retaining plates to be rotated in either a first direction to cause the retaining plates to move together to establish a clamping force against the bicycle frame bars or an opposite direction to reduce the clamping force. A cranking tab is pivotally connected to the head of the locking bolt to be rotated between a locked position at which to prevent the locking bolt from being rotated and an unlocked position at which to permit the locking bolt to be rotated.

Abstract: The invention is a bicycle rack that attaches to the tongue of a tent camper. The bicycle rack is attached to the tent camper with two plates that are placed on the top and bottom of the tongue. Then a bolt is placed through openings in both plates and tightened to the plates against the tongue of the tent camper. The bicycles are supported by posts attached to the top plate over the top of the tongue. The two vertical posts are braced at the top. Extending from the two vertical posts are horizontal rods that the bicycle is placed over to ride upon the rack. Bicycles can be placed on both sides of the rack. When it is necessary to raise the tent camper, the bicycle rack can be moved into a horizontal position so that it will not affect the raising of the tent camper.

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 golf bag carrier suitable for carrying golf bags external to a motor vehicle equipped with a standard square tube trailer hitch receptacle permanently mounted to the frame and under the rear bumper of said vehicle is described. The golf bag carrier consists of a substantially rectangular pan assembly upon which the golf bag is vertically placed; a trailer hitch shank which is telescopically received by the standard square tube trailer hitch receptacle mounted to the motor vehicle, said shank being affixed to the bottom of said rectangular pan assembly; a second standard square tube trailer hitch receptacle affixed to the bottom of the rectangular pan assembly and coaxial with its trailer hitch shank, a vertical member detachably attached to the rectangular pan; and a horizontal member detachably attached to the top end of the vertical member and having a plurality of horizontal support arms for stabilizing the golf bag being transported.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for providing a shock absorbing bicycle carrier engageable with a transporting vehicle is disclosed. The carrier includes an interconnecting frame to which mounting members are arranged for fixed orientation thereto and support arms are connected thereto for limited and controlled relative motion therebetween. A shock absorber is coupled within the carrier between the shock inducing carrying vehicle and the bicycle support arm. The shock absorber may be selectively chosen for variable resistive force or may be selectively variable by an operator. Among other embodiments, the shock absorber may take the form of an elastomeric shock, a coil spring shock, and/or a compressed fluid shock.

Abstract: A ski rack for a vehicle having a rear door, such as a sports utility automobile, or a van in which the rack holds several pairs of skis in tubes on a mounting board. The mounting board has an assembly for permitting lateral pivotal movement of the ski rack from a vertical position blocking the vehicle's rear door to a horizontal position adjacent to the rear bumper where the rear door of the vehicle is not obstructed.

Abstract: A system for stowing a spare tire on the exterior of a sport utility vehicle includes a carrier that holds the spare tire and that can pivoted between a highway configuration, wherein the spare tire is positioned beneath the chassis to thereby provide unimpeded access to the vehicle's rear lift door, and an off-road configuration, wherein the tire is positioned against the rear lift door, to thereby provide ample clearance beneath the vehicle.

Abstract: An L-shaped support has a rearwardly extending tubular arm formed of a thin-walled tube. The end of vertical leg of the support is cold formed into a U-shaped, double-walled channel which fits between the sides of a brace which is rigidly mounted to the trailer hitch of a vehicle. A plastic bracket has a split ring clamp which fits over the rearwardly extending arm of the support. The entire bracket may pivot about the axis defined by the arm. An alternative embodiment attachment device for restraining a bicycle tube on a horizontally extending carrier arm is formed as a single molded part of thermoplastic rubber. The attachment device has a strap with an array of two rows of holes which engage with a square array of four mushroom-head type fasteners to attach the end of the strap to the attachment devices.

Abstract: A carrier-platform device mountable on a utility vehicle. The carrier-platform device includes a frame attached to a standard, front-end snowplow-receiving bracket and a platform attached to the frame. The platform has three degrees of movement. The platform is pivotable from a vertical storage position to a horizontal deployed position. In the deployed position, the platform is further extendable so as to adjust the overall width of the carrier-platform device. The platform is still further adjustable in that the platform is able to be tilted in a ramp-like manner towards the ground. This arrangement allows an item such as an ATV or snowblower to be maneuvered from ground level and onto the platform so as to be transported by the utility vehicle atop the carrier-platform device.

Abstract: A mounting apparatus for use at the rear of a vehicle having a hitch element includes an object support platform. The object support platform includes an platform section lying generally in a plane for positioning of an object thereon. The object support platform further includes a support member. The mounting apparatus further includes a hitch member which includes a position locking and coupling device connected to a portion of the hitch member for adjustably coupling a portion of the elongated support member such that the plane in which the platform section generally lies is adjustable to a plurality of positions at the rear of the vehicle. The platform section may be for supporting a carrier receptacle or one or more bicycles.