Gripping arm for a bicycle carrier with a ratcheting mechanism

A bicycle carrier, comprising:

• a base configured to support a bicycle, the base comprising a first end and a second end;
• a wheel securement arm having a free end and a fixed end, wherein the fixed end is rotatably coupled to the first end of the base at a first attachment point;
• and
• a ratchet arm rotatably coupled to the base at a second attachment point and coupled to the wheel securement arm at a third attachment point, the ratchet arm comprising a housing and a telescoping arm,
• wherein, in a closed configuration, the third attachment point is disposed longitudinally between the first attachment point and the second attachment point, and an end of the telescoping arm is disposed within the housing, and
• wherein, in a loading configuration, the first attachment point is disposed longitudinally between the second attachment point and the third attachment point, and the end of the telescoping arm is disposed within the housing.

A method of operating a bicycle carrier, comprising:

• engaging an actuation member, wherein engaging the actuation member disengages a ratcheting assembly coupled to a ratchet arm;
• and
• rotating a wheel securement arm coupled to the ratchet arm in a first direction about an attachment point between a closed configuration and a loading configuration,
• wherein rotating the wheel securement arm in the first direction increases a length of the ratchet arm, and
• wherein the ratchet arm includes a first telescoping part and a second telescoping part coupled to the first telescoping part and configured to translate within the first telescoping part such that an end of the second telescoping part is disposed within the first telescoping part when the wheel securement arm is rotated between the closed configuration and the loading configuration.

A bicycle carrier, comprising:

• a base configured to support a bicycle;
• a wheel securement arm having a free end and a fixed end, wherein the fixed end is rotatably coupled to the base and configured to rotate between a closed configuration and a loading configuration relative to the base;
• a ratchet arm having a first fixed end rotatably coupled to the wheel securement arm and a second fixed end rotatably coupled to the base, wherein the ratchet arm comprises:
• a first telescoping part, wherein an end of the first telescoping part is fixed to the wheel securement arm or the base;
• and
• a second telescoping part coupled to the first telescoping part and configured to translate within the first telescoping part, wherein an end of the second telescoping part is disposed within the first telescoping part when the wheel securement arm is rotated between the closed configuration and the loading configuration;
• and
• an actuation member configured to release the ratchet arm and thereby allow rotation of the wheel securement arm between the closed configuration and the loading configuration, wherein the actuation member is disposed on the first telescoping part.