Bicycle carrier apparatus for automobile

• US 7,469,806 B2
• Filed: 09/28/2005
• Issued: 12/30/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 09/28/2005
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Gregory L. Garoffolo
• Original Assignee: Gregory L. Garoffolo
• Inventors: Garoffolo, Gregory L.
• Primary Examiner(s): Newhouse; Nathan J
• Assistant Examiner(s): MORGAN JR, JACK HOSMER
• Application Number:
  US11/236,981
• Publication Number:
  US 20070102464A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,189 Days
• Field of Search: 224/310, 224/492, 224/495, 224/502, 224504-507, 224/924, 224/519, 224/521
• 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 consisting of:

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

a first hinged element coupled to the first member;

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

a single bicycle attaching member coupled to the second hinged element;

a holder attachable to a roof of the automobile and removeably coupled to the bicycle attaching member; and

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 carder 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 carder 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 carder 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. A bicycle carrier system consisting of:

an automobile with a rear;

a single first member attached to the rear of the automobile;

a first hinged element coupled to the first member;

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

a single attaching member coupled to the second hinged element;

a holder attachable to a roof of the automobile and removeably coupled to the bicycle attaching 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 member about the first hinged element and the second hinged element.

6. A bicycle carrier apparatus consisting of:

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

a first hinged element coupled to the first member;

a single 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;

a holder attachable to a roof of the automobile and removeably coupled to the bicycle attaching 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.

7. The bicycle carrier apparatus of claim 6, wherein the apparatus is configured to carry a plurality of bicycles.