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.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     There are currently no applications co-pending with the present application. 
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates generally to bicycle racks, and in particular, to bicycle racks which can be adjusted. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Bicycle riding is a popular sport which is preformed by many people. Often bicycles are towed to a particular riding location via a vehicle and a rack mounted to a hitch upon the vehicle. Various racks are known for transporting bicycles. A common problem with all these devices is the limited adjustability. Another problem is mounting upon a vehicle. Furthermore with all these devices, the mounting and removing of bicycles is difficult. 
     Various attempts have been made to provide a bicycle rack. Examples of these attempts can be seen by reference to several U.S. patents. U.S. Pat. No. 4,997,116, issued in the name of Grim, describes a carrier rack which is suspended from a vehicle. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 5,655,696, issued in the name of Simonett, describes an adjustable bicycle rack. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 6,422,443, issued in the name of Erickson et al., describes a bicycle rack which is suspended upon a rear portion of the vehicle. 
     While these devices fulfill their respective, particular objectives, each of these references suffer from one (1) or more disadvantages. Many are not suited for adjustability or the easily mounting to a vehicle. Others are not suited for removing or mounting a bicycle easily onto the rack. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The inventor has recognized the aforementioned inherent problems and lack in the art and observed that there is a need for a bicycle rack which is adjustable, easily mounted to a vehicle, and enables for uncomplicated removing and mounting of bicycles onto the rack. 
     Accordingly, it is an object of the present embodiments of the invention to solve at least one of these problems. The inventor has addressed this need by developing a bicycle rack with a lifting mechanism. 
     To achieve the above objectives, it is an object of the present invention to provide an adjustable hitch-mounted bicycle carrier. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide the bicycle carrier with a lower connecting arm which receives a receiving hitch on an existing motor vehicle. 
     Yet still another object of the present invention is to attach the lower connecting arm to a lower base section. 
     Yet still another object of the present invention is to provide an upper base section. 
     Yet still another object of the present invention is to provide an adjusting gear mechanism attached to said lower base section and engaged with said upper base section. 
     Yet still another object of the present invention is to provide a hand crank which engages with the adjusting gear mechanism. 
     Yet still another object of the present invention is to provide the bicycle carrier with a plurality of holding arms. 
     Yet still another object of the present invention is to provide a method of utilizing the device that provides a unique means of connecting a lower connecting arm to an existing receiving hitch on an existing motor vehicle, attaching a lower base section to said lower connecting arm, attaching an adjusting gear mechanism to said lower base section, engaging said adjusting gear mechanism with said upper base section, and removably engaging the hand crank with the adjusting gear mechanism. 
     Further objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from a consideration of the drawings and ensuing description. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The advantages and features of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following more detailed description and claims taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which like elements are identified with like symbols and in which: 
         FIG. 1  is an isometric view of the adjustable height receiver hitch-mounted bicycle carrier  10 , in a lowered state, according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  is an isometric view of the adjustable height receiver hitch-mounted bicycle carrier  10 , in a raised state, according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 3  is a front view of the adjusting gear mechanism  50 , as used with the adjustable height receiver hitch-mounted bicycle carrier  10 , according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention; and, 
         FIG. 4  is a sectional view of the adjustable height receiver hitch-mounted bicycle carrier  10 , as seen along a line I-I, as shown in  FIG. 2 , according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     
       
         
               
             
               
               
             
           
               
                   
               
               
                 DESCRIPTIVE KEY 
               
               
                   
               
             
             
               
                   
               
             
          
           
               
                 10 
                 adjustable height receiver hitch-mounted bicycle carrier 
               
               
                 15 
                 motor vehicle 
               
               
                 20 
                 lower connecting arm 
               
               
                 25 
                 receiving hitch 
               
               
                 30 
                 hitch restraining pin 
               
               
                 35 
                 lower base section 
               
               
                 40 
                 angle brace 
               
               
                 45 
                 upper base section 
               
               
                 50 
                 adjusting gear mechanism 
               
               
                 55 
                 horizontal section 
               
               
                 60 
                 holding arms 
               
               
                 65 
                 connecting mechanisms 
               
               
                 70 
                 bicycle 
               
               
                 75 
                 pavement or ground level 
               
               
                 80 
                 hexagonal adjusting nut 
               
               
                 85 
                 first rotational arrow 
               
               
                 90 
                 second rotational arrow 
               
               
                 95 
                 removable hand crank 
               
               
                 100 
                 crank shaft 
               
               
                 105 
                 welded connection 
               
               
                 110 
                 first conical meshing gear 
               
               
                 115 
                 second conical meshing gear 
               
               
                 120 
                 bearing plate 
               
               
                 125 
                 bearing 
               
               
                 130 
                 central vertical shaft 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     The best mode for carrying out the invention is presented in terms of its preferred embodiment, herein depicted within  FIGS. 1 through 4 . However, the invention is not limited to the described embodiment, and a person skilled in the art will appreciate that many other embodiments of the invention are possible without deviating from the basic concept of the invention, and that any such work around will also fall under scope of this invention. It is envisioned that other styles and configurations of the present invention can be easily incorporated into the teachings of the present invention, and only one particular configuration shall be shown and described for purposes of clarity and disclosure and not by way of limitation of scope. 
     The terms “a” and “an” herein do not denote a limitation of quantity, but rather denote the presence of at least one of the referenced items. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 1 , an isometric view of the adjustable height receiver hitch-mounted bicycle carrier  10  (herein described as the “carrier”), in a lowered state, according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention, is disclosed. The carrier  10  is provided on the rear of a motor vehicle  15 . For purposes of illustration, the motor vehicle  15  is depicted as an automobile, however, it should be noted that other motor vehicles, such as trucks, vans, and the like could be utilized with equal effectiveness. A lower connecting arm  20  connects into a receiving hitch  25  on the motor vehicle  15  in the customary manner. The lower connecting arm  20  is physically secured to the receiving hitch  25  by use of a hitch restraining pin  30 . A lower base section  35  is held in place by an angle brace  40  in a manner that positions the lower base section  35  in a vertical position. An upper base section  45  is positioned above the lower base section  35  and is physically connected with the use of an adjusting gear mechanism  50 . The functionality and usage of the adjusting gear mechanism  50  will be described in greater detail herein below. Located at the top of the upper base section  45  is a horizontal section  55  used to provide stability to the carrier  10  and any objects placed upon it. Finally, a set of two (2) holding arms  60  project outwardly as shown in a conventional manner. The holding arms  60  would be provided with a series of connecting mechanisms  65  used to hold at least one (1) bicycle  70  securely in place such that they will not become dislodged during travel. 
     The exact configuration of the connecting mechanisms  65  is not within the scope of this disclosure and is envisioned to be clamps, levers, straps, or another device that is typically used upon conventional bicycle carriers. Other objects such as tricycles, mopeds, electric bicycles, wheelchairs, and the like could be used upon the carrier  10  as well with equal effectiveness, thus not limiting the effectiveness of the carrier  10  to bicycles alone. It is envisioned that the holding arms  60  would be capable of holding two (2) to four (4) bicycles depending on exact configuration. The distance of the receiving hitch  25  above the pavement or ground level  75  is controlled by the motor vehicle  15  and is envisioned to be approximately twelve (12) inches. The distance of the receiving hitch  25  to the horizontal section  55  in this lowered state is envisioned to be approximately twenty-six (26) inches. Said distances place the horizontal section  55  approximately thirty-eight (38) inches above the ground or grade which allows the crossbar of the bicycles  70  to be simply placed or slid over the holding arms  60  without the necessity of lifting them on or off of the holding arms  60  as is typically the case with conventional bicycle carriers. This feature is viewed as especially beneficial to users who may be very young, very old, or physically incapable of lifting heavy objects, but still the desire to exercise by bicycle riding. 
     Referring next to  FIG. 2 , an isometric view of the carrier  10 , in a raised state, according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention is depicted. This figure more clearly depicts the carrier  10  in a position that would be utilized during transport. The distance of the receiving hitch  25  above the pavement or ground level  75  is controlled by the motor vehicle  15  and is envisioned to be approximately twelve (12) inches as aforementioned described. The distance of the receiving hitch  25  to the horizontal section  55  in this lowered state is envisioned to be approximately thirty-eight (38) inches. Said distances place the horizontal section  55  approximately fifty (50) inches above the ground or grade which allows for adequate clearance of all components of the bicycles  70  while the motor vehicle  15  is in motion. Such elevated placement of the horizontal section  55  and the holding arms  60  is similar in location to that of a conventional bicycle rack that is fixed in place. It should be noted that users who possess adequate strength may lift any bicycles  70  directly on and off of the holding arms  60  as would be normally performed. It is envisioned that major components of the carrier  10  such as the lower connecting arm  20 , the lower base section  35 , the upper base section  45 , and the horizontal section  55  would be constructed of square steel tubing. Such tubing not only possesses great physical strength, but the square configuration also prevents inadvertent rotation of the various components along the axial moment. If cylindrical tubing should be utilized, other methods of preventing rotation such as detent connecting pins could be utilized. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 3 , a front view of the adjusting gear mechanism  50 , as used with the carrier  10 , according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention is shown. This figure more clearly depicts the adjusting gear mechanism  50  along with a hexagonal adjusting nut  80  used to perform the actual adjustment. The hexagonal adjusting nut  80  would be turned in a first direction such as clockwise to lower the upper base section  45  in relation to the lower base section  35  and is depicted by a first rotational arrow  85 . Likewise, the hexagonal adjusting nut  80  would be turned in the opposite direction such as counterclockwise to raise the upper base section  45  in relation to the lower base section  35  and is depicted by a second directional arrow  90 . In its base configuration, a removable hand crank  95  is provided to assist the user in said raising and lowering process. Alternate versions or models of the carrier  10  could utilize an adapter socket which connects to a standard cordless drill that assists in the raising and lowering operation. Finally, yet another alternate version would provided for an internal DC motor and gearbox which connects to the cigarette lighter of the motor vehicle  15  (as shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 ) and is controlled by a simple UP-OFF-DOWN switch which subsequently raises and lowers the upper base section  45  in relation to the lower base section  35 . Such alternate configurations are well known to those skilled in the art and outside of the scope of the present invention. 
     Referring finally to  FIG. 4 , a sectional view of the carrier  10 , as seen along a line I-I, as shown in  FIG. 2 , according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention is shown. This figure clearly shoes the hexagonal adjusting nut  80  connected to a welded connection  105  via a first conical meshing gear  110 . The crank shaft  100  also supports a first conical meshing gear  110  in a horizontal configuration. The first conical meshing gear  110  mates with a second conical meshing gear  115  in a vertical configuration. The second conical meshing gear  115  is supported by a bearing plate  120  and thus maintains a fixed position in relation to the adjusting gear mechanism  50 . The second conical meshing gear  115  is retained by a bearing  125  and is connected firmly to a central vertical shaft  130 . Thus, it can be seen that as the central vertical shaft  130  turns, the adjusting gear mechanism  50  will move up and down in a corresponding manner. Such operation is similar to that seen on a screw style scissors jack used on a motor vehicle. Due to the pitch of first conical meshing gear  110  working against the second conical meshing gear  115  and the bearing plate  120 , inadvertent operation of the adjusting gear mechanism  50  in either an up or down direction would be impossible and thus adds inherent safety to the carrier  10 . 
     It is envisioned that other styles and configurations of the present invention can be easily incorporated into the teachings of the present invention, and only one particular configuration shall be shown and described for purposes of clarity and disclosure and not by way of limitation of scope. 
     The preferred embodiment of the present invention can be utilized by the common user in a simple and effortless manner with little or no training. It is envisioned that the carrier  10  would be constructed in general accordance with  FIG. 1  through  FIG. 4 . After procurement of the carrier  10  and initial one-time assembly of various components, the invention would be ready for utilization by the final consumer. To being utilization, the user would install the carrier  10  upon the motor vehicle  15  by sliding the lower connecting arm  20  within the receiving hitch  25  until it is properly positioned. Next, the carrier  10  would be secured in place by installing the hitch restraining pin  30  within the lower connecting arm  20  and receiving hitch  25  concurrently. At this point in time, the unique adjustable aspects of the carrier  10  would be ready for utilization. 
     Next, the user would lower the horizontal section  55  and the holding arms  60  to its lowest position, by using the removable hand crank  95  upon the hexagonal adjusting nut  80  or by utilizing any of the electrical assist means as aforementioned described. At this point in time, the user can roll any and all bicycles  70  directly onto the outstretched holding arms  60  and secure the bicycles  70  in place by use of the connecting mechanisms  65  in a conventional manner. Next, the user would again access the hexagonal adjusting nut  80  and operate it in an opposite direction to subsequently raise the upper base section  45  as well as the horizontal section  55  and the holding arms  60  and also the bicycles  70  into a raised position as shown in  FIG. 2  for transport. Transport of the bicycles  70  would then occur by operating the motor vehicle  15  and driving it in a conventional and unimpeded manner to its destination. 
     At this point in time, the bicycles  70  may be removed from the carrier  10  by reversing the procedure as aforementioned described. The carrier  10  may then be removed from the motor vehicle  15  or left in place should immediate re-use be anticipated. 
     The foregoing descriptions of specific embodiments of the present invention have been presented for purposes of illustration and description. They are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention and method of use to the precise forms disclosed. Obviously many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teaching. The embodiment was chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the invention and its practical application, and to thereby enable others skilled in the art to best utilize the invention and various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. It is understood that various omissions or substitutions of equivalents are contemplated as circumstance may suggest or render expedient, but is intended to cover the application or implementation without departing from the spirit or scope of the claims of the present invention.