Bicycle lift for a vehicle roof rack

A carrier device for transporting a bicycle on a vehicle and for lifting and lowering the bicycle onto and from the vehicle rooftop, said carrier device comprising:

• a rack mechanism for receiving and securing a bicycle on the roof of a vehicle;
• a shaft member rotatably positioned in said rack mechanism, said shaft member having a first end and a second end;
• a bearing member in said rack mechanism for rotatably securing said first end of said shaft member;
• a gear mechanism in said rack mechanism and operably connected to said second end of said shaft member;
• means for operating said gear mechanism and rotating said shaft member;
• a lift arm member attached to said shaft member and rotatable therewith;
• and
• bicycle holding mechanism on said lift arm member for holding and securing a bicycle to said lift arm member.

A bicycle lifting and lowering system for a vehicle rooftop structure comprising:

• a rotatable shaft member having a first end and a second end;
• a lift aim member attached to said shaft member;
• a bicycle support mechanism attached to said lift arm member;
• a gear mechanism connected to said shaft member;
• and
• a hand crank member for operating said gear mechanism and in turn rotating said shaft member;
• wherein rotation of said shaft member rotates said lift arm member which in turn enables a bicycle to be lifted and lowered relative to the vehicle roof top structure.

A bicycle lifting and lowering system for a vehicle rooftop structure comprising:

• a rotatable shaft member having a first end and a second end;
• a lift arm member attached to said shaft member;
• a bicycle support mechanism attached to said lift arm member, said bicycle support mechanism comprising a rod member, a handlebar support member and a seat support member;
• and
• a gear mechanism connected to said shaft member;
• wherein rotation of said shaft member rotates said lift arm member which in turn enables a bicycle to be lifted and lowered relative to the vehicle roof top structure.