Bicycle carrier apparatus for automobile

• US 20070102464A1
• Filed: 09/28/2005
• Published: 05/10/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 09/28/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Gregory Garoffolo
• Original Assignee: Gregory Garoffolo
• Inventors: Garoffolo, Gregory
• Granted Patent: US 7,469,806 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 224/310
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 9/042 Carriers characterised by means to facilitate loading or unloading of the load, e.g. rollers, tracks, or the like
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 9/06 at vehicle front or rear rear luggage compartments within vehicle extensible externally of the vehicle body B60R5/041
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 9/10 for cycles
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 224/924 Vehicle attached carrier for bicycle or motorcycle

Abstract

A bicycle carrier apparatus comprising: a first member configured to attach to an automobile trailer hitch; a first hinged element coupled to the first member; a second member coupled to the first hinged element and to a second hinged element; a bicycle attaching member coupled to the second hinged element; and where the bicycle carrier apparatus is configured move from a ground position to a traveling position, and from a traveling position to a ground position, by pivoting the second member and the bicycle attaching member about the first hinged element and the second hinged element. A bicycle carrier system comprising: an automobile with a rear; a first member attached to the rear of the automobile; a first hinged element coupled to the first member; a second member coupled to the first hinged element and to a second hinged element; a bicycle attaching member coupled to the second hinged element; and where the bicycle carrier apparatus is configured move from a ground position to a traveling position, and from a traveling position to a ground position, by pivoting the second member and the bicycle attaching member about the first hinged element and the second hinged element.

Claims

1. A bicycle carrier apparatus comprising:

a first member configured to attach to an automobile trailer hitch;

a first hinged element coupled to the first member;

a second member coupled to the first hinged element and to a second hinged element;

a bicycle attaching member coupled to the second hinged element;

wherein the bicycle carrier apparatus is configured move from a ground position to a traveling position, and from a traveling position to a ground position, by pivoting the second member and the bicycle attaching member about the first hinged element and the second hinged element.

2. The bicycle carrier apparatus of claim 1, wherein the apparatus is configurable to fit onto an automobile type selected from the group consisting of:

4×

4'"'"'s, SUVs, sedans, compacts, and subcompacts.

3. The bicycle carrier apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first, second and bicycle attaching members may be made from a material selected from the group consisting of:

aluminum alloy, steel, stainless steel, high strength plastic, and carbon composite.

4. The bicycle carrier apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first hinge element is configured to stop rotating when the first member and second member are generally collinear with respect to each other.

5. The bicycle carrier apparatus of claim 1, further comprising:

a holder attachable to a roof of the automobile and configured to removeably couple to the bicycle attaching member.

6. A bicycle carrier system comprising:

an automobile with a rear;

a first member attached to the rear of the automobile;

a first hinged element coupled to the first member;

a second member coupled to the first hinged element and to a second hinged element;

a bicycle attaching member coupled to the second hinged element;

wherein the bicycle carrier apparatus is configured move from a ground position to a traveling position, and from a traveling position to a ground position, by pivoting the second member and the bicycle attaching member about the first hinged element and the second hinged element.

7. A bicycle carrier apparatus comprising:

a first member configured to attach to an automobile trailer hitch;

a first hinged element coupled to the first member;

a second member coupled to the first hinged element and to a second hinged element;

a cross member coupled to the second hinged element;

a plurality of bicycle attaching members coupled to the cross member;

wherein the bicycle carrier apparatus is configured move from a ground position to a traveling position, and from a traveling position to a ground position, by pivoting the second member and the bicycle attaching members about the first hinged element and the second hinged element.

8. The bicycle carrier apparatus of claim 7, wherein the apparatus is configured to carry a plurality of bicycles.