Splined hub with locking latch for a rack arrangement mountable to a motor vehicle
AssigneeThule Sweden AB
InventorsKeith L. Prescott, John D. Fiegener, Joseph R. Flaherty, Thomas J. Hanson, Timothy J. Makris, Michael Tinstman
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A carrier rack mountable to a vehicle includes a splined member, a first arm rotationally coupled about the splined member, and a latch coupled to the first arm. The splined member includes a plurality of splines disposed along an external surface of the splined member. The splined member is disposed through an aperture in a proximal end of the first arm. The latch is configured to engage the splined member to fix the first arm about the splined member.
Claims19
A carrier rack mountable to a vehicle, comprising:
- a splined member comprising a plurality of splines disposed along an external surface of the splined member;
- a first arm rotationally coupled about the splined member, wherein the splined member is disposed through an aperture in a proximal end of the first arm;
- a latch coupled to the first arm, wherein the latch is configured to engage the splined member to fix the first arm about the splined member;
- and
- a second arm rotationally coupled about the splined member, wherein the splined member is disposed through an aperture in a proximal end of the second arm,
- wherein the second arm is a load arm configured to carry a plurality of bicycles.
A bicycle carrier rack mountable to a vehicle, the bicycle rack comprising:
- an elongate member comprising a plurality of grooves disposed in an external surface of the elongate member;
- a first arm rotatably coupled about the elongate member;
- and
- a latch coupled to the first arm, the latch comprising a first tooth configured to be disposed in the plurality of grooves,
- wherein a longitudinal direction of the first arm extends along a longitudinal direction of the vehicle.
A method for adjusting a carrier rack for a vehicle, comprising:
- unlocking a latch coupled to a first arm, wherein the first arm is rotationally coupled about a splined member;
- rotating the first arm about the splined member;
- locking the latch, wherein locking comprises engaging one or more teeth of the latch with the splined member;
- and
- mounting the carrier rack on the vehicle, wherein mounting comprises contacting the vehicle with a distal end of the first arm.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.