Patent ID: 6089430
Filing Date: 2000-07-18
Classification: B60R,Y10S

Abstract:
A mounting apparatus for use at the rear of a vehicle having a hitch element, the apparatus comprising:a hitch member having a first end and a second end, the first end for secure engagement with the hitch element of the vehicle, the hitch member further includes a coupling device at the second end of the hitch member; anda support platform including one or more channel rails, each channel rail for receiving tires of a bicycle in a channel thereof, each channel rail having a first tire restraint for restraining a first tire of a bicycle in a portion of the channel at a first end of the channel rail and a second tire restraint movable relative to the channel rail and lockable to a position therein such that a second tire of the bicycle is held in a portion of the channel at a second end of the channel rail, the support platform having a support element extending therefrom and terminating in a coupling end for coupling with the coupling device at the second end of the hitch member, wherein the second tire restraint includes a slide lock portion having a tire restraining element connected thereto, the slide lock portion includes a channel portion sized for positioning in the channel of the channel rail and for riding on respective rails thereof, the slide lock portion further includes an engagement portion connected to each side of the channel portion, each engagement portion includes a surface for engagement with a respective rail of the channel rail, the second tire restraint further includes means for forcing the surface of each of the engagement portions against the respective rail for locking the second tire restraint into a position in the channel of the channel rail.