Carrier rack for vehicle

• US 6,502,730 B2
• Filed: 01/08/2001
• Issued: 01/07/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 01/06/2000
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Danny R. Johnson
• Original Assignee: Danny R. Johnson
• Inventors: Johnson, Danny R.
• Primary Examiner(s): Cronin, Stephen K.
• Application Number:
  US09/756,341
• Publication Number:
  US 20010030216A1
• Time in Patent Office: 729 Days
• Field of Search: 224/402, 224/518, 224/519, 224/524, 224/525, 224/526, 224/529, 224/530, 224/42.32, 224/538, 224/924, 414/462
• US Class Current: 224/519
• 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 preferred embodiment of the present invention generally comprises a hauling vehicle equipped with a conventional receiving style hitch assembly having a tubular cross member extended along the width of the hauling vehicle and attached to the frame thereof. The tubular cross member includes opposing ends and a centrally located extension tube each having an opening for receiving the mounting hardware of the carrier rack. The carrier rack further comprises a sturdily constructed carrying platform, ramp means for loading the carrying platform, and retractable casters for supporting the carrier rack when not mounted on a hauling vehicle. In addition, the carrier rack preferably has one or more rear safety lights which are communicatively connected to the electrical system of the vehicle via a wiring harness. For the driver to easily locate the rear of the carrier rack via a rear view mirror, a removable tailgate may also be installed.

Claims

1. A carrier rack for a vehicle having a vehicle frame, the rack comprising:

a carrying platform;

a support frame coupled to said carrying platform; and

a plurality of independently retractable and adjustable casters operationally connected to said carrying platform;

wherein said support frame is releasably coupled to said support frame at least three locations; and

wherein each respective one of said retractable and adjustable casters may be independently adjusted such that said platform may be levelly supported on uneven ground.

2. A carrier rack for a vehicle having a receiver-style hitch assembly, the rack comprising:

a carrying platform;

hitch mounting hardware coupled to said carrying platform;

wherein said hitch mounting hardware is releasably coupled to said receiver-style hitch assembly at least three locations;

wherein the hitch mounting hardware further comprises a central coupler member and two end coupler members; and

wherein the two end coupler members are removably connectable between the receiver-style hitch assembly and the carrying platform.

3. The carrier rack of claim 2, wherein said hitch mounting hardware comprise:

a center mounting bar and two side mounting bars coupled to said carrying platform, wherein said center mounting bar is adapted for insertion into a center opening of said hitch assembly;

a pair of connection members each comprising a top bar and a stem bar coupled together in an orthogonal relationship, said stem bars are adapted for insertion into opposing distal openings of said hitch assembly, each said top bar further comprising a channel, wherein said channels are adapted to receive said side mounting bars;

whereby after slidingly receiving stem bars in said distal openings of said hitch assembly, said center mounting bar and said side mounting bars can be aligned with said center opening of said hitch assembly and said channels in said top bars, respectively, thereby allowing said mounting bars to be received and releasably secured to said hitch assembly.

4. The carrier rack of claim 3, further comprising retractable and adjustable casters coupled to corners of said carrying platform.

5. A carrier rack for a vehicle having a receiver-style hitch assembly, the rack comprising:

a carrying platform;

hitch mounting hardware coupled to said carrying platform; and

at least one ramp pivotally coupled to a side of said carrying platform;

wherein said hitch mounting hardware is releasably coupled to said receiver-style hitch assembly at least three locations.

6. The carrier rack of claim 5, wherein said ramp has a top edge and a sleeve integrally attaching thereto, wherein said carrier rack further comprises a guide rod extending along said side of said carrying platform, wherein said guide rod is received in said sleeve thereby coupling said ramp to said carrying platform.

7. The carrier rack of claim 6, further comprising two ramps pivotally coupled to said side of said carrying platform.

8. The carrier rack of claim 6, further comprising two ramps pivotally coupled to opposing sides of said carrying platform.

9. The carrier rack of claim 6 further comprising horizontal guard rails supported by vertical guard posts, said horizontal guard rails comprising front, rear and side guard rails, wherein said front guard rail is at a height allowing a rear gate of said vehicle to be opened.

10. The carrier rack of claim 9, wherein said carrying platform comprises a supporting frame and a metal mesh floor, said supporting frame constructed of {fraction (3/16)} inch thick, 2 inch by 2 inch square steel tube, and said metal mesh floor is constructed of #9, ¾

inch steel mesh grating.

11. The carrier rack of claim 10, wherein said carrying platform is adapted to accommodate an all terrain vehicle.

12. The carrier rack of claim 11, wherein said ramp is a full width ramp.

13. The carrier rack of claim 10, wherein said side guard rail is an U-shaped bar.

14. The carrier rack of claim 13, wherein said carrying platform is adapted to accommodate a motorcycle.

15. The carrier rack of claim 14, further comprising a rear hitch extension coupled to opposing sides of said carrying platform.

16. The carrier rack of claim 14, further comprising a removable tailgate, wherein said tailgate is installed above said rear guard rail thereby allowing a driver to locate a rear edge of said carrier rack.

17. A carrier rack for a hauling vehicle having a receiver-style hitch assembly with a central opening and two distal openings, comprising:

a carrying platform;

three mounting bars coupled to said carrying platform;

retractable and adjustable casters coupled to corners of said carrying platform;

at least one ramp coupled to the carrying platform;

a pair of connection members, wherein each of said connection members includes a stem bar and a top bar, wherein said stem bars are adapted for insertion in said distal openings of said hitch assembly, and said top bars are adapted to receive said mounting bars;

wherein, after said stem bars are slidingly received in said opposing distal openings of said hitch assembly, said three mounting bars are releasably received in said central opening of said hitch assembly and said top bars, thereby allowing said carrier rack to be securely coupled to said vehicle in three locations; and

wherein said carrying platform is adapted for hauling other motorized vehicles.

18. The carrier rack of claim 17, further comprising:

vertical guard post and horizontal guard rails, wherein said horizontal guard rails are elevated above said carrying platform and supported by said vertical guard posts, said horizontal guard rails further including front, rear and side guard rails, wherein said front guard rail is positioned at a height to allow a rear gate of said hauling vehicle to open, and wherein said side guard rail is a u-shaped bar;

a removable tailgate, wherein said tailgate is raised above said rear guard rail thereby allowing a driver of said vehicle to locate a rear edge of said carrier rack, said tailgate further including flat areas for placement of advertisement and logo; and

a removable rear hitch assembly.