Collapsible cycle carrier

Claim 2

A collapsible cycle carrier for an automobile or like vehicle comprising: an elongate channel bar horizontally attachable to said vehicle, first and second cycle support arms pivotally connected to opposite ends of said channel bar and each adapted to rotate from a collapsed position within said channel bar to an open position projecting generally upwardly from said channel bar, a crossbar having a first end pivotally connected to the free end of said first support arm, the second end of said crossbar being attachable to the free end of said second support arm, and means associated with said channel bar for limiting rotation of said support arms, thereby preventing motion of said support arms and crossbar when said crossbar is attached to said second support arm in said open position.

Claim 3

A cycle carrier as defined in claim 1 further comprising a cycle hook projecting from each of said support arm free ends.

Claim 4

A cycle carrier as defined in claim 2 further comprising a pair of slots in said channel bar for receiving said cycle hooks when said support arms are rotated to said collapsed position.

Claim 5

A cycle carrier as defined in claim 2 wherein said crossbar second end includes a slot adapted to engage a portion of said second support arm cycle hook.

Claim 6

A cycle carrier as defined in claim 2 wherein said first support arm cycle hook integrally pivotally connects said crossbar to said first support arm.

Claim 7

A cycle carrier as defined in claim 5 wherein said support arms are of generally rectangular cross-section and wherein said crossbar is of generally L-shaped cross-section.

Claim 8

A cycle carrier as defined in claim 1 wherein said means for limiting rotation comprises first and second pairs of shaft members extending transversely across said channel bar at opposite ends theReof, the shaft members of each pair being mutually horizontally and vertically offset, said support arms being respectively pivotally connected to said channel bar by the upper shaft member of one pair and the lower shaft member of the other pair, the other shaft member of each pair limiting rotation of the respective support arm.

Claim 9

A cycle carrier as defined in claim 7 wherein the end of one of said support arms is pivotally connected to and extends beyond the upper shaft member of said first pair, the lower shaft member of said first pair thereby limiting rotation in one direction of said one support arm, the other of said support arms being pivotally connected to the lower shaft member of said second pair, the upper shaft member of said second pair thereby limiting rotation in the other direction of said other support arm.

Claim 10

A cycle carrier as defined in claim 6 further comprising means connected to said shaft members for attaching said channel bar to the bumper of said vehicle.

Claim 11

A cycle carrier as defined in claim 9 wherein said means for attaching comprises a bumper hook connected to the upper shaft member of each pair and a bumper rest connected to the lower shaft member of each pair.

Claim 12

A cycle carrier as defined in claim 7 further comprising a cycle hook attached to each of said support arm free ends and corresponding cycle hook receiving slots in said channel bar.

Claim 13

A collapsible cycle carrier for an automobile or like vehicle comprising: an elongate channel bar, first and second upper shaft members extending transversely across said channel bar at opposite ends thereof, first and second lower shaft members extending transversely across said channel bar at opposite ends thereof, each offset toward the center of said channel bar with respect to a respective one of said upper shaft members, a first cycle support arm pivotally attached to said first upper shaft member, rotation of said first shaft member in one direction being limited by said first lower shaft member, and a second cycle support arm pivotally attached to said second lower shaft member, said second upper shaft member limiting rotation of said second support arm in the other direction, said support arms being pivotable from a collapsed position within said channel bar to an open position extending generally upwardly therefrom, a pair of cycle hooks attached to the free ends of said first and second support arms, and a crossbar pivotally connected to said first support arm free end by means of a shaft coaxial with one of said cycle hooks, the other end of said crossbar including a slot attachable to a coaxial portion of said second support arm cycle hook.

Claim 14

A collapsible cycle carrier for an automobile or like vehicle comprising: an elongate channel bar, first and second upper shaft members extending transversely across said channel bar at opposite ends thereof, first and second lower shaft members extending transversely across said channel bar at opposite ends thereof, each offset toward the center of said channel bar with respect to a respective one of said upper shaft members, a first cycle support arm pivotally attached to said first upper shaft member, rotation of said first shaft member in one direction being limited by said first lower shaft member, and a second cycle support arm pivotally attached to said second lower shaft member, said second upper shaft member limiting rotation of said second support arm in the other direction, said support arms being pivotable from a collapsed position within said channel bar to an open position extending generally upwardly therefrom, a pair of cycle hooks attached to the free ends of said first and second support arms, and a crossbar pivotally connected to said first support arm free end by means of a shaft coaxial with one of said cycle hooks, the other end of said crossbar including a slot attachable to a coaxial portion of said second support arm cycle hook.

Claim 15

A cycle carrier as defined in claim 12 and adapted for attachment to the bumper of said vehicle, further comprising: a pair of bumper hooks each attached to a respective one of said upper shaft members and extending rearwardly of said channel bar to engage the upper edge of said bumper, and a pair of bumper rests each attached to a respective one of said lower shaft members and extending rearwardly of said channel bar to rest against the convex surface of said bumper.