Abstract: A swingable accessory mount assembly includes a receiver mount configured for mounting to a hitch receiver of a vehicle. A first end of a first arm is attached to the receiver mount. The first arm extends laterally from the receiver mount to the second end. A first end of a second arm 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 a second end of the second arm. When 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. A support member, such as a wear block, is located between the first arm and the second arm in the closed position.

Abstract: An endgate assembly includes a body and a quick-release receptacle. The body includes a first side and a second side opposing each other. The first side of the body defines a compartment accessible from the first side and spaced from the second side. The quick-release receptacle includes a platform. The quick-release receptacle is movable between a stowed position in which the quick-release receptacle is attached to the body within the compartment such that the platform and the first side cooperate to close the compartment, and a detached position in which the quick-release receptacle is released from the body to remove the quick-release receptacle from the compartment. A vehicle includes a cargo area and the endgate assembly as discussed above. The cargo area includes a floor, a first sidewall disposed transverse to the floor, and a second sidewall disposed transverse to the floor. The endgate assembly is coupled to the floor.

Abstract: An apparatus and system for securing an item to a vehicle is disclosed. The apparatus includes an elongated cable, a retraction member, a coupling member, and a locking mechanism. The elongated cable is retractably received within the retraction member. The coupling member is secured to the retraction member. The coupling member is engageable with a vehicle receiver to secure the coupling member to the vehicle receiver. The vehicle receiver shaped to receive a separate hitch mounted accessory. The engagement between the coupling member and the vehicle receiver, in certain embodiments, is designed such that the vehicle receiver is accessible for receiving the separate hitch mounted accessory with the coupling member engaged with the vehicle receiver.

Abstract: A safe is provided comprising a main box having a predetermined size, such that the safe may also be used as a step; a lockable flip lid pivotally connected to the inside of said main box; a top lid, pivotally connected to the upper edge of said main box such that it disguises the said flip lid, and configured such that it is capable of being used as a step; and means for locking the safe to the hitch of a vehicle.

Abstract: A vehicle receiver hitch supported lockable sporting equipment carrier provides a receiver hitch beam, structurally carrying an upwardly extending vertical beam. A horizontal support beam is structurally carried by the vertical beam, at an end portion opposite the receiver hitch beam. The horizontal support beam defines an axial channel extending therethrough for releasable engagement with a locking bar. The locking bar has one leg that releasably engages with the axial channel defined in the horizontal support beam, and a second leg that releasably engages with a hole defined in the vertical beam, spacedly adjacent the horizontal support beam. A lock hasp hole defined in an end portion of the locking bar provides for engagement of a lock.

Abstract: An apparatus and system for securing an item to a vehicle is disclosed. The apparatus includes an elongated cable, a retraction member, a coupling member, and a locking mechanism. The elongated cable is retractably received within the retraction member. The coupling member is secured to the retraction member. The coupling member is engageable with a vehicle receiver to secure the coupling member to the vehicle receiver. The vehicle receiver shaped to receive a separate hitch mounted accessory. The engagement between the coupling member and the vehicle receiver, in certain embodiments, is designed such that the vehicle receiver is accessible for receiving the separate hitch mounted accessory with the coupling member engaged with the vehicle receiver.

Abstract: A securing device includes a frame having first and second pivot points spaced apart from one another, a travel member extending vertically between the first and second pivot points and movable generally linearly between a lowermost position and an uppermost position, a first arm pivotally coupled to the frame at the first pivot point, and a second arm pivotally coupled to the frame at the second pivot point. First and second intermediate links are pivotally coupled to the first and second arms, respectively, and pivotally coupled to the travel member. A biasing element imparts force directly or indirectly upon the first intermediate link to maintain the travel member at the lowermost position when the travel member is at the lowermost position, the force biasing the first intermediate link to impede the travel member from moving to the lowermost position when the travel member is not at the lowermost position.

Abstract: In a navigation apparatus in a vehicle, a user designates a validating route, which is stored in a memory device. A control unit invalidates a predetermined function of the navigation apparatus at a start-up, which is for the first time after an in-vehicle battery is connected or which results from turning on of a power source. Use of the navigation apparatus by the user is thereby disturbed. When the control unit determines that a route, which the vehicle has traveled through, is included in the previously designated validating route stored in the memory device, the control unit re-validates the invalidated predetermined function.

Abstract: Gates on motorized and non-motorized vehicles such as the tailgate of a truck have started to be used for the attachment of accessories. The accessories on the market often attach directly to the existing gate and may take up significant room from the vehicle cargo space. The accessory may have to be removed from the gate prior to transport. Most often the accessory is used with the gate dropped in the traditional manner. This invention allows for a gate design into which a variety of accessories such as a barbecue, toolbox, storage units, fold-out ladders, bed extension, and a variety of other accessories can easily be interchanged. The gate and accessory may be configured so that it can be used in several different positions including the traditionally open gate position and a position where the gate assumes a swung out table top position.

Abstract: A latching rack system for carrying objects on a vehicle that is compatible with a standard receiver hitch. A latching rack platform has a standard hitch ball and a support mast with a latch pin and a shank to couple to a receiver hitch. A mating latching rack post incorporates a hitch ball cup and a latch device to securely couple to the latching rack platform. The weight of the rack and the objects carried is supported on the hitch ball and lateral support is provided by the support mast. The latching rack post can be mounted and dismounted without touching the latching rack platform or the receiver. The hitch ball is available for towing when the latching rack assembly is dismounted. The latching rack post can be integrated into objects to be carried to allow quick and easy mounting and dismounting.

Abstract: A carrier comprised of a holding member and an article support member. The holding member includes a tubing with a plurality of grooves lengthwise down the tubing. The article support member is coupled to the holding member. The article support member includes a tray and a collar. The collar is coupled to the tray and interlocks with the holding member in a plurality of angular orientations. The collar enables the tray to be rotatably adjusted with a slope in accordance with a selected angular orientation of the plurality of angular orientations. An integral locking mechanism allows an article to be locked to the carrier.

Abstract: A support assembly for supporting an article on a vehicle-mounted equipment carrier having an axially-extending mounting member generally includes a first support member, a second support member and a locking member, all of which define openings or passages within which the carrier mounting member is received. The first support member includes a hub section from which a pair of arms extend, and the arms include first and second support areas for engaging the article at a pair of spaced locations. The second support member includes a hub section which is engageable with the hub section of the first support member, and an arm extending therefrom and including a third support area.

Abstract: A truck bed mounted surfboard storage rack is provided which aids in the storage and transportation of surfboards via pickup trucks and vans. Two fold up arms have three slots in each one, with each slot being padded with a weatherproof foam material. When extended in the up position, the slots allow up to three surfboards to be stored in a horizontal position on their long edge. When in the lowered position, the invention folds flat against the floor of the truck or van, to provide the maximum storage space for other items. When secured to the frame of the pickup truck or van with mechanical hardware such as stainless steel nuts and bolts, the carrier can also be used for snow boards or other similarly shaped objects.

Abstract: A two part locking system for a push-broom preferably for use in the trucking industry, the first part A being mounting bracket with means for being fixedly attached to a desired site; such as on the rear panel of the cab, generally along the driver's side thereof, or to the tractor trailer in any suitable and accessible location thereon; and the second part B being a coupling piece that is attached to the push-broom at its wooden surface base containing the bristles and also to the handle of the broom, extending longitudinally up the broom handle from the broom base.

Abstract: The vehicle mounted article carrier rack mounts equipment to the back end of a vehicle. A base arm is formed having an acute angle such that when the base arm is secured to a receiver hitch of a vehicle, the base arm sweeps back towards the rear of the vehicle. A swing arm is pivotally connected to the base arm and also pivotally connected to a vertical article carrier arm. The swept-back design assures that the article carrier rack remains within the width of the vehicle when in a closed position, yet when open, swings out of the way to allow access to the vehicle's rear cargo area. The vertical article carrier arm pivots downwards to lower articles to, or raise articles from, the ground.

Abstract: A vehicle receiver mounted cargo carrier is readily configured to transport bicycles, skis and poles, canoes, canoe paddles and other cargo through the use of a vertical frame into which various rods may be placed, at locations most suited for the specific cargo. Other structural components form anchor points for the cargo that also help to retain the cargo and act as theft deterrents. The carrier is designed to be free standing out of the vehicle receiver, and so may be used as a storage organizer for the cargo before, during and after transport. Prior to assembly, the components of the carrier are relatively two dimensional, so the carrier may be packaged, stocked and sold in compact, flat packaging. Alternative support struts offer additional methods of supporting the cargo.

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: A vehicle receiver mounted cargo carrier is readily configured to transport bicycles, skis and poles, canoes, canoe paddles and other cargo through the use of a vertical frame into which various rods may be placed, at locations most suited for the specific cargo. Other structural components form anchor points for the cargo that also help to retain the cargo and act as theft deterrents. The carrier is designed to be free standing out of the vehicle receiver, and so may be used as a storage organizer for the cargo before, during and after transport. Prior to assembly, the components of the carrier are relatively two dimensional, so the carrier may be packaged, stocked and sold in compact, flat packaging. Alternative support struts offer additional methods of supporting the cargo.

Abstract: The bicycle rack mounts equipment to the back end of a vehicle. The rack has a base and at least one receiver mounted on the base. The receiver has upright walls extending upright from the base to a top spaced from the base. The upright walls forming a receiving space. One upright wall has a channel extending from the top of the upright wall. The channel has spaced-apart side edges. The receiving space receives a bicycle crank arm. A platform extends outward from an upright wall. The crank hub of a bicycle rest on the platform when the crank arm is in the receiver. A slot, which accepts the axle of the bicycle crank extend through the upright wall toward the platform. A securing member is positioned in the channel. It has a pair of flanges that extend beyond the side edges of the channel. A crank clamp on the securing member moves into and out of the receiving space for pushing against bicycle crank arm in the receiving space to secure the crank arm.

Abstract: A multifarious cargo carrier system for mounting on the rear of a vehicles having hitch receivers, step bumper hitches, custom hitches, or other means of attachment. The carrier system includes a base member having one end connectable within a hitch receiver and the other end attachable to a step bumper hitch or custom hitch. A tightening pin is used to tightly secure the base within a hitch receiver. Tightening pins are also used to connect the proximal end of a support arm to either end of the base and to attach the carrier assembly to the distal end of the support arm. The use of tightening pins allows the base to be folded up against the support arm and the carrier assembly to be folded down against the support arm for shipping and storage, as well as permitting access to the rear of the vehicle by pivoting the support arm down and and away from the vehicle.

Abstract: A car carrier adapted to mount to a trailer hitch of a vehicle with a motion-dampening mechanism. The carrier includes a horizontal hitch insert assembly, an upright column assembly rotatably engaged to the horizontal hitch insert assembly and at least one resistive member coupled to the upright column assembly. The resistive member can be actuated to produce a resistive force along the horizontal hitch insert assembly to dampen a movement of the upright column assembly when the upright column assembly is rotated.

Abstract: The carriers described herein employ an adjustable locking member to secure the carrier to the rear of a vehicle. A locking channel incorporates a cam lever used to adjust and lock the carrier and renders the mechanism inaccessible when locked. Apparatus for supporting and stabilizing a bicycle protrudes rearwardly from the base member.

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 carrier described herein employs opposing hook members projecting from a base to clamp the spare tire (mounted on the rear of a vehicle) therebetween. The extension of one of these hooks is adjustable, to accommodate different sized tires, and a locking mechanism is employed to facilitate secure attachment. Apparatus for supporting and stabilizing the bicycle protrudes rearwardly from the hook and base members.

Abstract: An improved bracket for mounting a carrier on a vehicle for carrying various articles such as skis and ski poles, bicycles and luggage. The illustrated bracket supports the carrier at the rear of the vehicle. The bracket is firmly and rigidly supports the carrier so as to limit tilting or swaying of the carrier as the vehicle moves. In a preferred form the bracket allows the carrier to be moved out of the way when access to the rear of the vehicle is desired. One form of illustrated carrier, for carrying (1) skis and ski poles and (2) bicycles, includes an elongated upright section that supports holder units for holding those articles. Another form of illustrated carrier, for carrying luggage, simply extends rearwardly and supports a horizontal platform.

Abstract: An apparatus for detachably securing a hand truck having a base and a pair of side rails. The apparatus has a frame mounted to the vehicle. The frame has a pair of claws, each claw is pivotably mounted to the frame for rotatable movement between an open released position and a closed retained position. A bar is slideably carried by the frame for movement between a first position and a second position. The bar is slideably connected to the claws so that the claws pivot between the open/released position and the closed/retained position as the bar moves between the first position and the second position. The bar and claws are movable by movement of the hand truck. A latch secures the bar in the second position. A switch remote from the latch operates a release mechanism to release the latch.

Abstract: Disclosed is a new outboard motor carrier for vehicles for supporting a conventional small marine outboard motor for transport on a rack coupled to a conventional vehicular trailer hitch sleeve. The outboard motor carrier for vehicles comprises an L-shaped support structure having an elongated vertical member with a horizontal member projecting normal the bottom end thereof. The horizontal member is slidably removably engaged with the trailer hitch sleeve. A rectangular wooden plank, simulating a boat transom whereto the motor may be clamped, is fixedly connected crosswise the vertical member at the top end thereof. A lock is provided for securing the motor to the carrier. Upper and lower safety chains are also provided to, respectively, prevent loss of the motor in the event of motor mount failure and prevent loss of the carrier in the event of carrier hitch securement bolt failure. A padlock secures the lower chain to prevent unauthorized removal of the carrier from the hitch.

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: 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: A lockable fishing rod holder includes an elongate tubular member which may attached to the outside of a vehicle for supporting a fishing rod in a generally upright position, and a lockable sleeve rotatably engaged on the tubular member. The sleeve and tubular member have longitudinally extending slots therein which may be placed in registry with one another to permit the mounting bracket for the reel on the fishing rod to be moved through the slots lengthwise of the tubular member, and which may be placed out of registry with one another to prevent movement of the mounting bracket through the slots, thereby locking the fishing rod to the holder and preventing its unauthorized withdrawal from the holder. A lock may be engaged between the tubular member and sleeve to prevent relative rotational movement therebetween.

Abstract: An improved bracket for mounting a carrier on a vehicle for carrying objects such as skis and ski poles. The illustrated bracket supports the carrier at the rear of the vehicle. The bracket is firmly and rigidly supports the carrier so as to limit tilting or swaying of the carrier as the vehicles moves. In a preferred form the bracket allows the carrier to be moved out of way to the side when access to the rear or the vehicle is desired. The illustrated carrier includes an elongated upright section that supports holder units for holding the skis and poles.