Hitch-mounted cycle rack
OwnerNathan M. Nealeinventor
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A hitch mounted cycle rack that includes a mounting bar, adapted to be fitted into a receptive motor vehicle hitch and a horizontal support member, supported by the mounting bar and being substantially perpendicular to the mounting bar and substantially horizontal when the mounting bar is fitted into a receptive motor vehicle hitch. A substantially vertical hinge is supported on the horizontal support member, at a position displaced laterally from the mounting bar by about 0.8 meters. A cycle support assembly is mounted on the horizontal support member by way of the substantially vertical hinge. Accordingly, when the hitch mounted cycle rack is mounted on the rear of an automobile, the hinge permits the cycle support assembly to be swung away from the rear of the automobile, exposing it and permitting access to it.
Claims3
A hitch mounted cycle rack, comprising:
- (a) a mounting-bar, adapted to be fitted into a receptive motor vehicle hitch;
- (b) a horizontal support member, supported by said mounting bar and being substantially perpendicular to said mounting bar and substantially horizontal when said mounting bar is fitted into a receptive motor vehicle hitch;
- (c) a substantially vertical hinge, supported by said horizontal support member at a position displaced laterally from said mounting bar, by about 0.8 meters;
- (d) a cycle support assembly mounted on said horizontal support member by way of said substantially vertical hinge, and including:
- (i) a substantially horizontal hinge;
- and
- (ii) a cycle support frame supported by said substantially horizontal hinge and defining a hinge end, coincident to said substantially horizontal hinge, and a cycle-loading end, opposed to said hinge-end;
- and
- (iii) wherein said hinge permits said cycle support frame to be swung downwardly into a loading position so that said cycle-loading end is proximal to the earth and a cycle can be rolled upwardly onto said cycle support frame and further wherein said cycle support frame may be swung upwardly so that said cycle-loading end is substantially level to said hinge end for transporting said cycle.;
- and
- (e) whereby said mounting bar permits said hitch mounted cycle rack to be mounted on the rear of an automobile and said hinge permits said cycle support assembly to be swung away from said rear of said automobile, exposing it and permitting access to it.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.