# US 8,783,536 B1 · Universal bicycle rack with lifting mechanism > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 8,783,536 B1 - Document ID: US8783536B1 - Status: Granted - Kind: B1 - Application number: 13/349,662 - Filed: 2012-01-13 - Granted: 2014-07-22 - Earliest claimed: 2012-01-13 - Applicants: Ralph R. Julian - Inventors: Ralph R. Julian - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US8783536B1 ## CPC - B60R 11/00: Arrangements for holding or mounting articles, not otherwise provided for - B60R 9/06: at vehicle front or rear {(rear luggage compartments within vehicle extensible externally of the vehicle body B60R5/041)} - B60R 9/10: for cycles - B60R 5/04: arranged at rear of vehicle {(B60R5/003, B60R5/006 take precedence; external trunks arranged at rear of vehicle B60R9/065)} - B60R 9/045: Carriers being adjustable or transformable, e.g. expansible, collapsible {(transformable into tents B60P3/36; into beds B60P3/38)} - B60R: VEHICLES, VEHICLE FITTINGS, OR VEHICLE PARTS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR ## Abstract A universal bicycle rack with a lifting mechanism comprises a vehicle hitch-mounted bicycle carrier with mechanical vertical adjustment capabilities, a bicycle rack and a crank assembly. The bicycle rack comprises a durable metal bicycle receiving and retaining structure which provides securement of a plurality of bicycles to a motor vehicle for transport. The rack is connected to a crank assembly, comprising a hitch receiver, a vertical adjustment assembly, and a crank handle. The crank assembly is attached to an existing vehicle hitch via the hitch receiver portion. The vertical adjustment assembly provides attachment to the bicycle rack. The height of the attachment portion is manually adjustable via the crank handle. In use, a user may lower the rack, roll a bicycle into position over the rack, and utilize the crank handle to raise the rack and bicycles off of the ground surface for subsequent transport. ## Claims ### Claim 1 An adjustable hitch-mounted bicycle carrier for use with a vehicle, said hitch-mounted bicycle carrier comprising: a lower connecting arm; a lower base section attached to said lower connecting arm; an upper base section; an adjusting gear mechanism attached to said lower base section and engaged with said upper base section, comprising: an adjusting nut rotatable between clockwise and counter clockwise directions to lower and raise said upper base section in relation to said lower base section; a first conical meshing gear disposed at a horizontal configuration relative to a longitudinal length of said lower and upper base sections respectively; a second conical meshing gear; a bearing firmly connected to a central vertical shaft; and, a bearing plate attached to said second conical meshing gear; a hand crank engaged with said adjusting gear mechanism such that rotational movement of said hand crank causes rotational movement of said adjusting gear mechanism and thereby linearly reciprocates said upper base section relative to said lower base section. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The hitch-mounted bicycle carrier of claim 1, further comprising: a plurality of holding arms attached to said upper base section. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The hitch-mounted bicycle carrier of claim 1, wherein said upper base section has a horizontal section adapted to provide stability to a bicycle placed thereon. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The hitch-mounted bicycle carrier of claim 1, wherein said first conical meshing gear is welded to said adjusting nut via a welded connection. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The hitch-mounted bicycle carrier of claim 1, wherein said first conical meshing gear mates with said second conical meshing gear in a vertical configuration. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The hitch-mounted bicycle carrier of claim 1, wherein said second conical meshing gear is supported by said bearing plate and thus maintains a fixed position in relation to said adjusting gear mechanism. ### Claim 7 An adjustable hitch-mounted bicycle carrier for use with a vehicle, said hitch-mounted bicycle carrier comprising: a lower connecting arm adapted to be connected to an existing receiving hitch on an existing motor vehicle; a lower base section attached to said lower connecting arm; an upper base section; an adjusting gear mechanism attached to said lower base section and engaged with said upper base section, comprising: an adjusting nut rotatable between clockwise and counter clockwise directions to lower and raise said upper base section in relation to said lower base section; a first conical meshing gear disposed at a horizontal configuration relative to a longitudinal length of said lower and upper base sections respectively; a second conical meshing gear; a bearing firmly connected to a central vertical shaft; and, a bearing plate attached to said second conical meshing gear; a hand crank removably engaged with said adjusting gear mechanism such that rotational movement of said hand crank causes rotational movement of said adjusting gear mechanism and thereby linearly reciprocates said upper base section relative to said lower base section. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) The hitch-mounted bicycle carrier of claim 7, further comprising: a plurality of holding arms attached to said upper base section. ### Claim 9 (depends on 7) The hitch-mounted bicycle carrier of claim 7, wherein said upper base section has a horizontal section adapted to provide stability to a bicycle placed thereon. ### Claim 10 (depends on 7) The hitch-mounted bicycle carrier of claim 7, wherein said first conical meshing gear is welded to said adjusting nut via a welded connection. ### Claim 11 (depends on 7) The hitch-mounted bicycle carrier of claim 7, wherein said first conical meshing gear mates with said second conical meshing gear in a vertical configuration. ### Claim 12 (depends on 7) The hitch-mounted bicycle carrier of claim 7, wherein said second conical meshing gear is supported by said bearing plate and thus maintains a fixed position in relation to said adjusting gear mechanism.