US4050616A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Bumper-style bicycle carrying apparatus
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1975-09-19
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Granted: 1977-09-27
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Expires: 1995-09-19
Abstract
Abstract A telescopically extendable and collapsible bumper-style bicycle carrying rack for motor vehicles. A pair of bumperette housing members disposed in spaced apart relationship are secured to or form a part of the bumper of a motor vehicle. Telescoping support members are members are mounted within the bumperette housing members and are vertically extendable therefrom. A cross brace member is transversely mounted to the tops of the vertically extendable support members for vertical movement therewith. A plurality of bicycle hanger members are adjustably positionable along the length of the cross brace member to enable rapid placement of the hangers for accommodating the size constraints of the particular bicycle to be carried thereby. The vertically telescoping support members may be manually raised and lowered, in which case manually operable latching members lock the telescoping parts in their extended operative position, or can be automatically raised and lowered by means of a motor assembly. The apparatus is aesthetically pleasing and out-of-the-way when disposed in its non-supportive collapsed position such that the vertically telescoping support members are collapsed and encompassed within the bumperette housing members, the cross brace member lies in close proximity with and parallel to the bumper, and the bicycle hanger extensions are folded flat against the cross brace member.
Inventors
- 👤 Larry B. Mosow
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-27 06:29
CPC Classifications
B; B60; B60R; B60R9/00; B60R9/08; B60R9/10; B60R9/06; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S224/00; Y10S224/924
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
191 words
A collapsible bicycle carrying rack for attachment to a bumper of a motor vehicle, comprising: a. a pair of low-relief bumperette housing members suitable for attachment to a bumper of a motor vehicle, each of said housing members defining an internal cavity, said housing members having a length approximating that of the vertical dimension of a bumper, said housing members being substantially U-shaped in horizontal cross-section and having an open face for addressing the bumper, said open face being defined by edges which engage said bumper; b. means for mounting said housing members to a bumper of a motor vehicle, in spaced apart relationship relative to one another; and c. vertically telescoping support means mounted to said housing members for supportingly carrying a bicycle in elevated position above the bumper, said support means including a pair of vertical support standards positionable in an extended position telescopically projecting from said housing members, and positionable in a collapsed position for substantial encompassment within said cavities of said housing members, each of said vertical support standards cooperating with the respective housing member to provide vertically telescoping support means comprising at least three telescoping members.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
191 words
A collapsible bicycle carrying rack for attachment to a bumper of a motor vehicle, comprising: a. a pair of low-relief bumperette housing members suitable for attachment to a bumper of a motor vehicle, each of said housing members defining an internal cavity, said housing members having a length approximating that of the vertical dimension of a bumper, said housing members being substantially U-shaped in horizontal cross-section and having an open face for addressing the bumper, said open face being defined by edges which engage said bumper; b. means for mounting said housing members to a bumper of a motor vehicle, in spaced apart relationship relative to one another; and c. vertically telescoping support means mounted to said housing members for supportingly carrying a bicycle in elevated position above the bumper, said support means including a pair of vertical support standards positionable in an extended position telescopically projecting from said housing members, and positionable in a collapsed position for substantial encompassment within said cavities of said housing members, each of said vertical support standards cooperating with the respective housing member to provide vertically telescoping support means comprising at least three telescoping members.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
65 words
A collapsible bicycle carrying rack as recited in claim 1, wherein said support means further includes latching means cooperatively connecting adjacent ones of said plurality of support member segments for selectively locking said adjacent support member segments in their operatively extended positions, said latching means being releasible to unlock said adjacent support member segments, enabling telescoping collapsible movement of said adjacent segments relative one another.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
65 words
A collapsible bicycle carrying rack as recited in claim 2, wherein said support means further includes: a. a cross brace member secured to the top of the uppermost ones of said plurality of support member segments and vertically movable therewith; and b. a plurality of bicycle hanger means connected to said cross brace member and projecting in extended manner therefrom for supportingly engaging a bicycle.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
55 words
A collapsible bicycle carrying rack as recited in claim 3, wherein each of said bicycle hanger means comprises: a. a base mounting member adjustably securable to said cross brace member longitudinally along the length thereof; and b. an elongate hook member mounted to said base mounting member, transversely projecting outwardly from said cross brace member.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
101 words
A collapsible bicycle carrying rack as recited in claim 4, wherein each of said bicycle hanger means further includes positioning means operatively connecting said hook member to said base mounting member for selectively pivotally positioning the longitudinal direction of said hook member relative to the cross brace member, said positioning means being operable in a first position to direct the hook member in extended manner transversely of the cross brace member, and being operable in a second position to place said hook member in collapsed manner in close proximity with and parallel to the longitudinal length of said cross brace member.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
38 words
A collapsible bicycle carrying rack as recited in claim 1, further including drive means operatively connected to said telescoping support means for automatically raising and lowering said vertical support standards respectively between their said extended and collapsed positions.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
41 words
A collapsible bicycle carrying rack as recited in claim 6, wherein said drive means includes an electric motor, and means connecting the output drive of said motor with said telescoping support means for raising and lowering said vertical support standards thereof.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
35 words
A bumper-style bicycle carrier rack as recited in claim 1, wherein said open face is defined by edges which are adapted to engage a bumper, said edges matingly conforming to the shape of said bumper.
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) | 1980-09-26 | 1981-03-28 | 1981-09-27 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1984-09-26 | 1985-03-28 | 1985-09-27 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1988-09-26 | 1989-03-28 | 1989-09-27 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |