# US 10,501,023 B1 · Vehicle bicycle rack > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 10,501,023 B1 - Document ID: US10501023B1 - Status: Granted - Kind: B1 - Application number: 15/914,730 - Filed: 2018-03-07 - Granted: 2019-12-10 - Earliest claimed: 2016-07-15 - Applicants: Jack D. Mayers - Inventors: Jack D. Mayers - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10501023B1 ## CPC - B60R 9/10: for cycles - B60R 9/06: at vehicle front or rear {(rear luggage compartments within vehicle extensible externally of the vehicle body B60R5/041)} - B60R 2011/0061: {using key-type connections} - B60R 2011/0071: {using latches, clips, clamps, straps or the like} - B62H 3/08: involving recesses or channelled rails for embracing the bottom part of a wheel - B62H 3/12: Hanging-up devices - B60R: VEHICLES, VEHICLE FITTINGS, OR VEHICLE PARTS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR - B62H: CYCLE STANDS; SUPPORTS OR HOLDERS FOR PARKING OR STORING CYCLES; APPLIANCES PREVENTING OR INDICATING UNAUTHORIZED USE OR THEFT OF CYCLES; LOCKS INTEGRAL WITH CYCLES; DEVICES FOR LEARNING TO RIDE CYCLES ## Abstract A bicycle rack for attaching to a vehicle includes a hitch attachment, a vertical support frame, and a pair of horizontal support frames. An upper horizontal support frame is perpendicularly secured to a distal end of the vertical support frame. A lower horizontal support frame is perpendicularly secured adjacent to the middle of the vertical support frame. The hitch attachment is pivotally secured behind the base of the vertical support frame and is provided with a plurality of hitch attachment apertures to allow an adjustable projection from the vehicle. The vertical support frame can be selectively moved toward horizontal by removing a lock pin. The upper and lower support frames support at least one (1) bicycle thereon. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A vehicle bicycle rack, comprising: a hitch assembly; a vertical support frame vertically extending from said hitch assembly; a lower support frame extending horizontally from said vertical support frame; and, an upper support frame extending horizontally from a top of said vertical support frame, said lower support frame and said upper support frame are parallel to each other to provide better support to a bicycle secured by said vehicle bicycle rack; wherein said hitch assembly includes a hitch frame and a pivot bracket that is attached to said hitch frame at its distal end, and wherein said pivot bracket receives said vertical support frame; wherein said pivot bracket includes a pivot bracket opening, wherein said vertical support frame is mounted to said hitch assembly via a pivot connector, and wherein said vertical support frame can pivot on said pivot connector from vertical toward horizontal; further including a hitch assembly gusset member that reinforces a connection between said vertical support frame and said pivot bracket; further including a plurality of lock apertures disposed along lateral faces of said pivot bracket, aligned vertical support frame apertures that pass through said vertical support frame, and a locking pin passing through said lock apertures and through said vertical support frame apertures; wherein said vertical support frame and said hitch frame are rectangular sections of structural steel; wherein said vertical support frame includes a plurality of center apertures disposed between said hitch frame and said vertical support frame projection; and wherein said lower support frame further includes a plurality of lower cradle members, each having a lower cradle pin affixed thereto, and a lower cradle strap having distal ends removably connected to distal ends of said lower cradle pin. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The vehicle bicycle rack according to claim 1, further including hitch frame apertures in said hitch frame to enable a user-determined spacing between a vehicle hitch and said vertical support frame. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The vehicle bicycle rack according to claim 1, further including a vertical support frame projection attached between the top of said vertical support frame and a second support frame. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The vehicle bicycle rack according to claim 3, further including a projection gusset member attached to said vertical support frame projection and to said vertical support frame for reinforcing a connection there between. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The vehicle bicycle rack according to claim 1, wherein said lower support frame includes at least one clevis, each having clevis apertures that align with a selected pair of said plurality of center apertures. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The vehicle bicycle rack according to claim 5, further including a lower support frame fastener that passes through said clevis apertures and through said selected pair of said plurality of center apertures to attach said lower support frame to said vertical support frame. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The vehicle bicycle rack of claim 1, wherein said lower cradle members comprise an angle iron, each oriented vertically on said lower support frame. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The vehicle bicycle rack according to claim 1, wherein said upper support frame includes an upper support frame connector that connects said upper support frame to said vertical support frame projection. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The vehicle bicycle rack according to claim 8, wherein said upper support frame connector includes upper connector apertures, said vertical support frame projection includes apertures that align with said upper connector apertures, and a connector fastener that passes through said upper connector apertures and through said vertical support frame apertures. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The vehicle bicycle rack of claim 1, wherein said upper support frame further comprises: a plurality of first upper cradle members, each having a first lower cradle pin affixed thereto, and a first lower cradle strap having distal ends removably connected to distal ends of said first lower cradle pin; and, a plurality of second upper cradle members, each having a second lower cradle pin affixed thereto, and a second lower cradle strap having distal ends removably connected to distal ends of said second lower cradle pin. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The vehicle bicycle rack of claim 10, wherein each first upper cradle member further comprises: a lower angle iron, affixed to an upper surface of said upper support member; and, an upper angle iron, having a first end affixed to a first end of said lower angle iron and extending away upwardly therefrom at an angle. ### Claim 12 (depends on 10) The vehicle bicycle rack of claim 10, wherein each second upper cradle member further comprises: a lower angle iron, affixed to an upper surface of said upper support member; a first upper angle iron, having a first end affixed to a first end of said lower angle iron and extending away upwardly therefrom at a first angle; and, a second upper angle iron, having a first end affixed to a second end of said lower angle iron and extending away upwardly therefrom at a second angle. ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) The vehicle bicycle rack according to claim 1, wherein said vertical support frame, said lower support frame, and said upper support frame include a protective coating.