US3765581A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Bike carrier
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1972-07-10
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Granted: 1973-10-16
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Expires: 1992-07-10
Abstract
Abstract A bike carrier has a generally U-shaped frame constituted by a pair of downwardly diverging struts whose upper ends are coupled to a relatively low-slung cross brace. Projecting rearwardly from the cross brace is a pair of hangers configured with sets of plural retaining bends which are angled inwardly towards one another to accept and support the V-frame of a bike. Adjustable clamping assemblies are coupled to the lower portions of both struts to secure the U-shaped frame to vehicle bumpers of various sizes and shapes.
Inventors
- 👤 I Kosecoff
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 18:20
CPC Classifications
B; B60; B60R; B60R9/00; B60R9/06; B60R9/08; B60R9/10; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S224/00; Y10S224/924
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
195 words
A bike carrier attachable to a vehicle bumper, comprising: a. a pair of spaced and generally upright struts with upper ends and lower ends, the struts being formed with height-adjustment retaining holes; b. a cross brace spanning the space between the struts with its opposite ends coupled to corresponding strut upper ends, the struts and cross brace being in coplanar relationship constituting a U-shaped framework; c. a pair of laterally spaced bike hangers coupled to and extending rearwardly from the cross brace, the hangers being configured with sets of plural retaining bends and tilted so that the concave sides of the sets of plural retaining bends face at least slightly inwardly toward one another; d. clamping assemblies adjustably secured to corresponding struts for removably securing the U-shaped framework to a vehicle bumper, each clamping assembly having an upper bumper clamp and a lower bumper clamp; and, e. stabilizing bolts coupled to the struts and positioned between the upper and lower bumper clamps of the clamping assemblies for contacting and exerting pressure against a vehicle bumper, wherein, a bike may be arranged on the hangers with its V-frame supported in a mating pair of retaining bends.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
195 words
A bike carrier attachable to a vehicle bumper, comprising: a. a pair of spaced and generally upright struts with upper ends and lower ends, the struts being formed with height-adjustment retaining holes; b. a cross brace spanning the space between the struts with its opposite ends coupled to corresponding strut upper ends, the struts and cross brace being in coplanar relationship constituting a U-shaped framework; c. a pair of laterally spaced bike hangers coupled to and extending rearwardly from the cross brace, the hangers being configured with sets of plural retaining bends and tilted so that the concave sides of the sets of plural retaining bends face at least slightly inwardly toward one another; d. clamping assemblies adjustably secured to corresponding struts for removably securing the U-shaped framework to a vehicle bumper, each clamping assembly having an upper bumper clamp and a lower bumper clamp; and, e. stabilizing bolts coupled to the struts and positioned between the upper and lower bumper clamps of the clamping assemblies for contacting and exerting pressure against a vehicle bumper, wherein, a bike may be arranged on the hangers with its V-frame supported in a mating pair of retaining bends.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
96 words
The structure according to claim 1, where each upper bumper clamp includes: a threAded rod secured to a corresponding strut and extending through a height-adjustment retaining hole, a mounting plate connected to the rod, a forwardly extending spacer plate disposed beneath the rod axis and secured to the mounting plate, and, a downwardly turned holding lip secured to the forward edge of the spacer plate for hooking on the vehicle upper bumper edge, wherein, the holding lip can be hooked on the bumper edge without clearance problems and causing interference between the rod and the bumper.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
97 words
The structure according to claim 1 where each lower bumper clamp includes: a threaded rod secured to a corresponding strut and extending through a height-adjustment retaining hole, a mounting plate connected to the rod, a forwardly extending spacer plate disposed above the rod axis and secured to the mounting plate, and, an upwardly turned holding lip secured to the forward edge of the spacer plate for hooking on the vehicle lower bumper edge, wherein, the holding lip can be hooked on the lower bumper edge without clearance problems or causing interference between the rod and the bumper.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
43 words
The structure according to claim 1, wherein: each strut is a channel bar having a rear wall in which height-adjustment holes are formed, side walls, and, a front wall constituted by a pair of mutually in-turned shoulders that define a longitudinally extending slot.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
29 words
The structure according to claim 4, wherein: the cross brace is an angle bar having a top plate that generally covers and lies adjacent to the strut upper ends.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
50 words
The strut according to claim 5, wherein: the outer portions of the strut upper ends are chamfered so that when the strut lower ends are spread apart by a predetermined distance the strut upper ends will engage the cross brace top plate to thereby stop further divergence of the struts.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
74 words
The structure according to claim 4, where: each stabilizing bolt is disposed through a selected height-adjustment retaining hole and held in place by; an externally located nut attached to a rearwardly and outwardly projecting bolt segment; and, an internally located pressure plate confined within the strut and generally locked against rotation by the strut side walls so that the stabilizing bolt can remain precisely in a desired position, and distribute pressure to the strut.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
49 words
The structure according to claim 7, wherein; the forward end of each stabilizing bolt is formed with a pair of diverging pressure plates whose contact edges are covered with pliable scratch-resistant material, the pressure plates being arranged so their junction of intersection is generally perpendicular to the cross brace.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
25 words
The structure according to claim 7, wherein: the rearwardly and outwardly projecting bolt segment is covered by a slip-on cap constructed of pliable scratch-resistant material.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
37 words
The structure according to claim 4, wherein: the upper and lower bumper clamps are mounted to their corresponding struts with the assistance of connectors engaged with and seated upon the in-turned shoulders of the strut front walls.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
58 words
The structure according to claim 1, wherein: the sets of retaining bends associated with the pair of hangers are tilted inwardly to lie substantially in a horizontal plane; the forward segments of the hangers aid in coupling the strut upper ends to the cross brace opposite ends; and, the struts and cross brace are constructed from anodized aluminum.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-10-15 | 1977-04-16 | 1977-10-16 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-10-15 | 1981-04-16 | 1981-10-16 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-10-15 | 1985-04-16 | 1985-10-16 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |