Abstract: A multi-functional carrier apparatus or system which attaches to a vehicle via a standard receiver trailer hitch or a step-bumper hitch. The apparatus consisting of: (a) a hitch member that is pinned/attached to the standard hitch of a vehicle, (b) a support frame or mounting platform, and (c) any number of removable carrying accessories which are made 10 to easily and quickly secure to the support frame. The purpose of the hitch member is to secure the mounting support-frame to the vehicle while locating it up from the hitch and rearward of the vehicle bumper. The pivotable support-frame permits quick and secure attachment of the cargo carrying accessories. The mounting support-frame is adjustable to permit positioning it from parallel to perpendicular with the ground to handle a number of carrying accessories. The removable carrying accessories of the system are easy to attach and secure to the support frame.

Abstract: A truck bed extender mounts to a vehicle to support loads which are longer than the load bed of the vehicle. The truck bed extender includes a main beam adapted to engage a conventional box receiver on the vehicle. A load support is mounted to the main beam and includes a load support bar which extends transversely to the main beam when the truck bed extender is in use. A storage mount is provided to allow mounting of the load support to the main beam in a storage position when the load support is not being used. The truck bed extender can be mounted to the box receiver in a storage position.

Abstract: An improved truck bed extender particularly adapted for ease of installation and removal. When not being used to extend the truck bed, the extender is advantageously adapted to quickly and easily create a secondary storage area. In one embodiment, the extender includes a first side wall, a second side wall, a connecting wall, a first mount and a second mount. The connecting wall extends between the first side wall and the second side wall, and cooperates with the first side wall and second side wall to form a generally U-shape frame. The first mount is secured to the first side wall and includes a first interlocking member. The second mount is secured to the second side wall and comprises a second interlocking member.

Abstract: An automotive remote carrier deck for transporting equipment or other material and attachable to a standard trailer hitch tongue. The remote carrier deck has a trailer hitch assembly which attaches directly to a trailer hitch tongue and which elevates the entire remote carrier deck to a height which is substantially above the trailer hitch tongue. The remote carrier deck hinges about a first securing pin allowing the entire deck to be raise in a vertical stored position or a usable horizontal position. A second securing pin allows the deck to be locked in the vertical and horizontal position. There is also an adjustable stop which determines the extent of downward rotation and horizontal level of the deck. The stop allows the horizontal angle of the deck to be adjusted when heavy items are placed thereon.

Abstract: A bicycle rack (10) may be supported by a base (40) on a tow bar of a vehicle. The bicycle rack (10) includes an upright post (11) having at its upper end a pivotally supported arm (12), which is adapted by way of grooves (20) to support a number of bicycles by engagement with the bicycle top tubes. To retain the bicycles in place, a retaining plate (13) is held against the pivot arm (12) by wing nuts applied to threaded fasteners (19) and a padlock which may pass through a hole (22) and a corresponding hole in the pivot arm (12). A gas strut (18) extends between the post (11) and the pivot arm (12) to aid in its pivoting. A number plate support (23) is pivotally attached to the remote end of the pivot arm (12) and connected to the post (11) by a parallelogram linkage to maintain the number plate in a generally vertical plane regardless of the orientation of the pivot arm (12).

Abstract: The invention relates generally to an automotive vehicle hitch rack and more particularly to a drawbar coupler that provides a connection to a tow hitch on an automotive vehicle. The coupler comprises a drawbar which interfaces with the tow hitch to provide opposed overlapping surfaces, and a tightener which applies force to maintain the opposed overlapping surfaces together. The invention significantly reduces play between the drawbar and the tow hitch.

Abstract: An apparatus for carrying bicycles on a vehicle includes a trunnion fitted to a receiver or other mount secured to a vehicle. A base extends from the trunnion longitudinally away from the vehicle to carry a post having top and bottom supports extending away for supporting bicycles. One or more trays may extend laterally across the lower support with respect to the base. Each tray may be adapted to support the rear tires of two bicycles. The upper support may be an arm having adjustable blocks for mounting the open (free) ends of the tines of the forks of the bicycles. Each block is slotted to receive and position a skewer passing through a fork. The skewer may be positionable along a length of a block, to adjust to the length of a bicycle. The blocks may be mounted in a different orientation (e.g. upside down) to further adjust for bicycle length. Trays and blocks may be arranged to offset every bicycle from every other bicycle in three dimensions to avoid interference of handlebars and pedals.

Abstract: An article carrier adapted to be detachably interconnected with a vehicle such as an automobile, truck or trailer. The article carrier includes a connector member adapted to be telescopically received within a tubular member affixed to the vehicle and a carrier assembly carried by the connector member and a fixed arm and a swingable arm to which a generally vertically extending column and one or more outwardly extending article supporting elements is connected. The fixed arm and the swingable arm are disposed in a side-by-side relationship and are uniquely interconnected so that the arc through which the swingable arm can swing is limited. A novel clamping mechanism is provided to securely interconnect the connector members of the device with the tubular hitch in a manner to positively prevent relative vibratory movement between the members.

Abstract: A bicycle carrier is adapted to be mounted on the rear of a vehicle. The carrier comprises first and second mounting members and a pair of horizontally spaced bicycle supporting arms connected to the mounting members. The mounting members are pivotably connected for relative rotation about a horizontal pivot axis between a plurality of adjusted positions. The carrier includes indicia corresponding to each of the adjusted positions of the mounting members, so that a user can quickly return the carrier to the same adjusted position. The supporting arms carry cradles formed of an elastic material for receiving a bicycle. Each cradle includes a curved supporting surface for receiving a bar of the bicycle frame, and an integral strap which can be extended over the bar to retain the bar within the cradle. An anti-sway bar hangs downwardly from at least one of the supporting arms for resisting swinging movement of a bicycle.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a tire carrier for an automotive vehicle and, more particularly, to a hitch mounted tire carrier. The invention includes a cantilever construction having the combination of an elongated arm having the tire mount structure, and a bracket for the arm connectable, for example, to a tow hitch of a vehicle. The arm is movable relative to the bracket between the transportation position and in inactive position, and a cinch is provided on the bracket for normally maintaining the arm in the transportation position but releasing the same for movement to the inactive position. The cinch has a lever latch which, in keeping with the invention, is manipulatable of the cinch to an over-center position. A tightener is provided as a protuberance on the lever latch which is mounted for pivoting to a stop position beyond a center position at which it would be generally orthogonal to a bearing surface it engages.

Abstract: The rear mounted multi-bicycle steel rack securely locks up to six bicycles for stable, safe and secure transport. The rack mounts into the rear receiver hitch with a simple pin. Up to six bicycles with different tubular frame sizes can be placed on the rack with a securing arm and lock providing stability and security. The hinges provide ease in movement of the arm. The high gloss finish in a variety of colors protects the rack from the weather and road damage. The clear advantages of bicycle rack is the lightweight design, lateral stability, locking feature, adjustment for different bicycle tubular frame sizes and ease of operation.

Abstract: A rack carrier for an automobile having a hitch receiver is described. The rack includes an article support structure to be secured to the hitch for movement between a position for transportation of the article by the vehicle and a position enabling access to such vehicle. The carrier includes an elongated arm that projects upward, which arm has the article support structure at its upper end. A bracket securable to the hitch has a cinch for maintaining the arm in its transportation position. The cinch includes a lever latch having a protuberance which engages a bearing surface, which protuberance is mounted for pivoting to a stop position beyond a center position at which it engages the bearing surface generally orthogonal to it. The construction further includes an arrangement which assures a rigid securance between the rack drawbar and a tow hitch receiver on a vehicle.

Abstract: An improved article mounting assembly for a vehicle mounted carrier is described. This particular style of vehicle mounted carrier has an upright primary support member with a bottom end adapted for attachment to a square tube trailer hitch on a vehicle and a top end having means to secure articles to the primary support member. The improvement includes a tubular primary upright support member having a top end, a bottom end and an interior bore. A lower mounting member is provided having a first portion and a tubular second portion. The first portion has article receiving depressions. The second portion has having an interior bore that telescopically receives the top end of the primary support member. A stop is provided to limit the relative telescopic movement of the tubular second portion of the lower mounting member and the primary support member. An upper mounting member is provided having a first portion and a second portion.