Automotive vehicle bicycle rack having load assist apparatus
First Claim
1. A icycle rack having a bicycle loading apparatus, comprising:
- a substantially vertical bicycle rack adapted for attachment to an automotive vehicle;
a base for a hook;
a hook having a base end attached to said base;
a rim rest end of the hook adapted to engage an inner portion of a bicycle wheel rim to hold up a bicycle during bicycle loading; and
an attachment mechanism that secures the base to a substantially vertical bicycle wheel carriage channel incorporated in said bicycle rack.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
An apparatus to assist an operator in loading a bicycle onto a substantially vertical bicycle rack attached to an automotive vehicle, includes a base that attaches to the upper portion of the bicycle rack, and a substantially U-shaped hook, having one end that pivots at its base end and having another end that engages the inner rim portion of bicycle wheel when the bicycle is lifted into the proximity of the upper portion of the bicycle rack. The present apparatus and method of loading of a bicycle assists an operator in loading a bicycle by fully supporting the weight of the bicycle while the operator positions and secures the bicycle to the bicycle rack for transport.
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Citations
17 Claims
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1. A icycle rack having a bicycle loading apparatus, comprising:
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a substantially vertical bicycle rack adapted for attachment to an automotive vehicle;
a base for a hook;
a hook having a base end attached to said base;
a rim rest end of the hook adapted to engage an inner portion of a bicycle wheel rim to hold up a bicycle during bicycle loading; and
an attachment mechanism that secures the base to a substantially vertical bicycle wheel carriage channel incorporated in said bicycle rack. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. A bicycle rack for an automotive vehicle, with said rack comprising:
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a bicycle rack, adapted for attachment to an automotive vehicle, in a substantially vertical orientation;
a base for a hook, with said base comprised of a composite material and having a cylindrical hook hole that is generally horizontal and substantially transverse to the direction of vehicle travel;
a substantially U-shaped hook;
a base end of said hook that rotates about a horizontal axis within said cylindrical hook hole, with the base end and the hole being sized to cause friction that impedes the hook from rotating absent an external force;
a rim rest end of said hook that during bicycle loading engages an inner portion of a bicycle wheel rim to hold said bicycle wheel up and within a wheel carriage channel incorporated in said bicycle rack;
an attachment mechanism comprising one or more fasteners extending from the underside of said wheel carriage channel and attaching to the base; and
a lateral stabilizer mechanism that prevents excessive lateral movement of the bicycle during transit. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15)
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16. A method for loading a bicycle for transit onto an automotive vehicle, comprising of steps of:
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lifting a bicycle from the ground and into the proximity of a substantially vertical automotive storage rack;
aligning one or more wheels of the bicycle in the proximity of a substantially vertical wheel carriage channel that is attached to said storage rack;
engaging a bicycle load assist apparatus hook around the upper bicycle wheel rim, such that the bicycle tire is between a rim rest end of the hook and said wheel carriage channel;
releasing the bicycle, thereby causing the bicycle load assist apparatus to bear most of the weight of the bicycle; and
securing one or more of the bicycle wheels to the wheel carriage channel. - View Dependent Claims (17)
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Specification