Abstract:
A combination bicycle car rack and work stand is provided. The device has one or more bicycle carrier channels to secure one or more bicycles, and a clamp assembly which can be oriented in a desired position in order to perform maintenance or repair on another mounted bicycle. The invention may be mounted to a vehicle, or may be mounted to a stationary base. If the clamp assembly is not in use, additional bicycles may be transported by removing the clamp assembly, and attaching a bike transport assembly which includes additional bike carrier channels. Enhanced structural support is provided on the support assembly of the device to ensure a strong and rigid connection with the hitch assembly of a vehicle. The clamp assembly is adapted to receive various sized components of a bicycle, and can be rotatably oriented with ease.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
         [0001]    The present invention relates generally to a device which secures an object such as a bicycle for transport and repair, and more particularly, to a combination bicycle car rack and work stand especially adapted for attachment to a motor vehicle.  
         BACKGROUND ART  
         [0002]    A bicycle car rack is a common means of transporting bicycles on a vehicle. Typically, such racks utilize the vehicle&#39;s existing trailer hitch receiver as an attachment point. When the bicycle rack is not in use, the rack is simply disconnected from the receiver. A-well known device to secure a bicycle during repair is a portable repair stand. Typically, the portable repair stand includes a clamp which secures the bicycle at a desired location and orientation, and a base which supports the suspended bicycle.  
           [0003]    A number of prior art references disclose both hitch racks and repair stands. One example of a reference which discloses a repair stand which mounts to a motor vehicle includes the U.S. Pat. No. 5,385,280. In this reference, a base member is adapted to connect to the receiver hitch of the vehicle. A riser member adjustably connects to the base member. A clamp support member projects horizontally from the riser member. The clamp support member includes a clamp which may secure the bicycle frame, or other components of the bicycle.  
           [0004]    One example of a bicycle rack which is mounted to a vehicle includes the U.S. Pat. No. 4,676,413. This reference discloses a pair of frame mounting brackets secured to the frame of the vehicle. A rack assembly is supported by the frame mounting brackets. Bicycle hangar rods are secured to the top end of the rack assembly. One or more bicycles may be mounted on the rack assembly and secured by the hangar rods.  
           [0005]    U.S. Pat. No. 3,981,491 is an example of a portable work stand. The work stand includes a pair of relatively movable jaws between which a tubular member of a bicycle may be securely clamped.  
           [0006]    U.S. Pat. No. 5,277,346 discloses a clamping device especially adapted for securing bicycles thereto. The clamping device attaches to the trailer hitch of the vehicle. The clamping device includes cooperating clamping jaws which, once closed, are automatically locked in the closed position about the tubing of the bicycle.  
           [0007]    Other examples of bicycle racks adapted for mounting to a vehicle include U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,277,346; 5,803,330; 4,676,414; 5,845,831; and 6,000,593. The purpose common to each of these references is a device which rigidly mounts one or more bicycles to a vehicle; however, no means is provided to orient a bicycle in a multitude of positions in accordance with functional attributes of a work stand. Thus, while the foregoing body of prior art indicates that it is known to support bicycles on vehicles for transporting the bicycles, or to mount a work stand to a vehicle for repair of a single bicycle, it is not contemplated to provide in a single device a combination work stand which enables one to exactly position a bicycle in a desired orientation, and simultaneously provide a bike carrier or bike rack to secure and transport additional bicycles on the same device.  
         SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0008]    The present invention, in broad terms, includes capabilities as both a work stand for repair and maintenance of a bicycle, and a bicycle car rack for securing and transporting one or more bicycles to a vehicle. Structurally, the bicycle car rack and work stand of the invention includes a support assembly characterized by an insert tube which is received in the receiver tube of the trailer hitch assembly, a vertical frame tube connected to the protruding end of the insert tube, and a horizontal frame tube connected to the upper end of the vertical frame tube. A clamp assembly is mounted on the horizontal frame tube and may be used to secure and precisely position a bicycle for maintenance or repair. One or more bike carrier members are provided to secure additional bicycles to the car rack and work stand. Optionally, the clamp assembly may be removed and replaced with a bike transport assembly which allows a number of additional bicycles to be secured to the device of this invention. The clamp assembly is adjustable to receive various sizes of bike tubing frames, or other components of a bicycle which must be secure for maintenance or repair.  
           [0009]    The vertical frame tube pivotally connects to the receiver tube. A tilt lock pin is provided which allows the vertical frame tube to be secured in a vertical upright position or rotated downward to a more horizontal position. Additional structural support is provided in the form of an anti-sway plate which more rigidly secures the insert tube to the receiver tube of the trailer hitch assembly. A gusset may be provided to further support the vertical frame tube and the gusset, if used, acts as a cable pass-through.  
           [0010]    The clamp assembly may be rotated to any desired position. A securing handle is used to engage or disengage a pair of clutch plates, and a user may then rotate the clamp assembly to the desired orientation while the clutch plates are disengaged.  
           [0011]    The clamp assembly includes a clamp handle which manipulates an upper jaw of a pair of opposing jaw channels which secure the bicycle component therebetween. A lower jaw channel is fixed to a clamp support tube of the clamp assembly. The upper jaw channel moves with respect to the lower jaw channel, and can be locked into place by pushing down on the clamp handle tube. The gap between the upper and lower jaw channels may be adjustable by a barrel nut which provides linkage between the clamp handle and the clamp support tube. Accordingly, the clamp assembly is able to receive various sized bicycle components.  
           [0012]    If there is no need for conducting repair or maintenance on a bicycle, the clamp assembly may be removed and replaced with a bike transport assembly which has a plurality of bike carrier channels. For each of the bike carrier channels, a tubular member of the bicycle rests in the channel, and then a strap may be used to secure the bicycle component to the particular channel.  
           [0013]    Although this invention is adapted for attachment to a vehicle, the invention may also be disconnected from a vehicle and mounted to a stationary pedestal receiver.  
           [0014]    The foregoing discussed advantages along with others will become apparent from a review of the description which follows in conjunction with the corresponding figures. 
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0015]    [0015]FIG. 1 is a fragmentary perspective view of the bicycle car rack and work stand of this invention illustrating the clamp assembly attached, and the bicycle transport assembly detached;  
         [0016]    [0016]FIG. 2 is a reduced perspective view of the device of this invention illustrating the invention mounted to the trailer hitch assembly of a vehicle, and also illustrating a bicycle secured by the clamp assembly;  
         [0017]    [0017]FIG. 3 is a fragmentary exploded perspective view of the device of this invention illustrating both the clamp assembly and bike transport assembly detached from the support assembly;  
         [0018]    [0018]FIG. 4 is a vertical section, taken along line  4 - 4  of FIG. 3, illustrating the device of the invention assembled and with the clamp assembly illustrated in the open position;  
         [0019]    [0019]FIG. 5 is another vertical section, taken along line  4 - 4  of FIG. 3, illustrating the clamp assembly in the closed position for securing a component of a bicycle;  
         [0020]    [0020]FIG. 6 is a fragmentary perspective view illustrating the rotational capability of the clamp assembly;  
         [0021]    [0021]FIG. 7 is a another fragmentary perspective view illustrating the bike transport assembly attached, and further showing a component of a bicycle mounted to one of the bike carrier channels as by a strap assembly;  
         [0022]    [0022]FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a pedestal assembly which is integral with the device of this invention;  
         [0023]    [0023]FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a pedestal receiver which may be used when the device is removed from its mounted position on a vehicle;  
         [0024]    [0024]FIG. 10 is a fragmentary perspective view showing the receiver of FIG. 9 in use; and  
         [0025]    [0025]FIG. 11 is an exploded perspective view of FIG. 10. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION  
       [0026]    [0026]FIG. 1 illustrates the car rack and work stand  10  of this invention. The device includes three major assemblies, namely, a clamp assembly  12 , a support assembly  14 , and a bike transport assembly  110 . As shown in FIG. 2, the support assembly  14  includes a horizontally extending insert tube  16  which is inserted in the receiver tube T of the trailer hitch assembly of a vehicle V. The support assembly  14  further includes a vertical frame tube  18  which rotatably connects to insert tube  16  as by tilt swivel pin  38 . The upper end of frame tube  18  connects to horizontal frame tube  20  as by a welded connection along seam  22 . The insert tube  16  includes one or more mounting pin holes  24  drilled transversely through the tube  16 . Mounting pin P may then secure the insert tube  16  by inserting the pin P through the hole in receiver tube T and the aligned mounting pin hole  24 . FIG. 2 shows but one means by which the device of this invention may be attached to the trailer hitch assembly of a vehicle. The arrangement shown in FIG. 2 is one of the more common trailer hitch assemblies found on many modern vehicles. As well understood by those of skill in the art, insert tube  16  could be modified or adapted for connection to other types of trailer hitch assemblies.  
         [0027]    In order to enhance the structural integrity and stability of the device, an anti-sway plate  26  is provided, along with tensioner  28 . As shown in FIG. 2, anti-sway plate  26  overlaps the interface between receiver tube T and insert tube  16 . Tensioner  28  is tightened which then stabilizes the connection between receiver tube T and insert tube  16 . Further structural support is provided by angled gusset plate  30  which is welded to the vertical frame tube  18 . A pair of securing plates  34  which are provided for extra structural support receive both the tilt swivel pin  38  and tilt lock pin  36 . As shown in FIG. 3, the tilt lock pin  36  may be removed which allows vertical frame tube  18  to rotate. Tilt swivel pin  38  remains attached. It may be necessary to rotate vertical frame tube  18  if the device of this invention is mounted to the trailer hitch assembly of a pick-up truck, or other recreational vehicle which has a tailgate. Rotation of frame tube  18  to the more horizontal position would allow the tailgate to be opened.  
         [0028]    The horizontal frame tube  20  has mounted thereto one or more bicycle carrier channels  42 . FIG. 1 illustrates just one bike carrier channel  42 ; however, it is well within the scope of this invention to have additional bike carrier channels  42 , depending upon the length of frame tube  20 . Bike carrier channel  42  includes a lower support member  42 , and a rubber or resilient covering  46  overlying the support member  44 . As best seen in FIG. 4, the bike carrier channel is a v-shaped member which is simply welded to the upper surface of frame tube  20 .  
         [0029]    Now referring to FIGS. 1, 3,  4 ,  5  and  6 , the clamp assembly  12  will now be explained in more, detail. The clamp assembly  12  includes a clamp handle tube  48  which is grasped by the user and is positioned either in the open position as shown in FIG. 3, or in the closed position as shown in FIG. 1. The clamp handle tube  48  connects to clamp handle square  50 . A pair of clamp side plates  52  and  53  serves as the primary linkage members. As shown, handle pivot pin  54  is inserted between the plates  52  and  53  and thus rotatably connects handle square  50  to plates  52  and  53 . A pair of jaw pivot mounts  66  and  67  attached to the upper surface of clamp support tube  64 . Jaw pivot pin  56  is inserted between pivot mounts  66  and  67 , and thus rotatably attaches side plates  52  and  53  to the mounts  66  and  67 . A clip may be used to secure pins  54  and  56  as necessary, and which allows more easy disassembly of this clamp assembly. Upper jaw channel  60  attaches to the forward or distal ends of side plates  52  and  53 , as best seen in FIG. 4. Lower jaw channel  62  is mounted to the most forward or distal end of clamp support tube  64 . An upper handle pivot mount  68  is mounted to the lower or under side edge of clamp handle square  50 . A pair of lower handle pivot mounts  72  and  73  as best seen in FIG. 3 are mounted to the clamp support tube  64  proximally of the jaw pivot mounts  66  and  67 . Threaded rod  76  extends from mount  68  and is secured by pivot mount pin  70 . A barrel nut  78  is screwed over the free end of threaded rod  76 . As shown in FIG. 4, the lower end of barrel nut  78  attaches to extension  75  which is rotatably secured between mounts  72  and  73  by pin  74 . The barrel nut can be screwed or unscrewed along the threaded rod  76  to change the effective length of the linkage between upper pivot mount  68  and lower pivot mounts  72  and  73 .  
         [0030]    When the clamp handle tube  48  is lifted to the more vertical orientation, jaw  60  is separated from jaw  62 . When the tube  48  is pushed down to the more horizontal orientation, upper jaw of channel  60  moves towards lower jaw channel  62 . As best seen in FIG. 6, a stop tab  80  mounts horizontally between side plates  52  and  53 , and serves as a stop to limit the downward travel of clamp handle tube  48  by contact with the lower edge of upper pivot mount  68 . As best seen in FIG. 5, a portion of the frame F of a bicycle is locked between jaws  60  and  62 . The gap G between jaws  60  and  62  can be changed to accommodate-the particular sized frame member which is secured between the jaws by screwing or unscrewing the barrel nut  78  over threaded rod  76 .  
         [0031]    As shown in FIG. 6, the clamp assembly  12  may be rotated to any desired position. This capability is achieved by clutch plates  82  and  86  which may be engaged or disengaged by securing handle  100 . More specifically, clutch plate  82  is secured to the proximal end of clamp support tube  64 . Clutch plate  86  is secured to the distal or forward end of horizontal frame tube  20 . A clutch plate bushing  84  is positioned between the clutch plates  82  and  86 . The securing handle  100  includes an elongate threaded bolt  104  which is inserted through an opening on the upper end of vertical frame tube  18 , and extends internally through frame tube  20 . The threaded bolt  104  further extends through an opening  88  in clutch plate  86 , opening  90  in bushing  84 , and through a central opening in clutch plate  82 . A grip  102  attaches to the proximal end of threaded bolt  104 . As shown in FIG. 4, an internal securing nut  106  is rigidly mounted within the interior of support tube  64 , and the distal end of the threaded bolt  104  also extends through the securing nut  106 . If it is desired to rotate the clamp assembly, grip  102  is unscrewed thus loosening clutch plates  82  and  86 . The clamp assembly is rotated to the desired orientation, and then grip  102  is tightened thus forcing clutch plates  82  and  86  back against one another. Washer  103  may be mounted over threaded bolt  104  to help prevent damage against the exterior surface of tube  18  due to contact with the grip  102 .  
         [0032]    Hasp openings  92  and  94  may be drilled through clutch plates  86  and  82 , which allows a lock  98  having a hasp  96  to pass therethrough, as shown in FIG. 4. Thus, the clamp assembly can be locked to prevent theft.  
         [0033]    Now referring to FIG. 7, the bike transport system  110  is shown mounted to support assembly  14 . The bike transport assembly includes a plurality of bike carrier channels  112 , mounted to the support tube  114 . As with the clamp assembly, the bike transport assembly  110  also includes its own clutch plate  116  which mounts against clutch plate  86 . Thus, the bike transport assembly  110  may also be rotated to the desired orientation. However, the most common and efficient orientation of the bike transport assembly is when the carrier channels  112  are maintained in a horizontal orientation. The bike carrier channels  112  are constructed in the same manner as carrier channel  42 , and are simply welded to the support tube  114 . In order to lock the bike transport assembly to the support assembly, bike transport assembly also includes a hasp opening  118  which may be aligned with hasp opening  92  to receive the hasp  96  of lock  98 . Although a bike transport assembly  110  has been illustrated, it shall be understood that the device of this invention can also be used in conjunction with other types of securing assemblies such as an assembly for securing skis or other objects. Thus, the ski rack would simply have to include some means for connection to the clutch plate  86 , preferably a clutch plate like clutch plate  116  of the bike transport assembly  110 . Those skilled in the art can envision other specific objects which might be transported by the device of this invention.  
         [0034]    A strap assembly  120  as of the type shown in FIG. 7 may be used to secure the bicycles to the bike carrier channels. One particularly effective strap assembly  120  includes a loop  122 , a strap portion  124 , and hook and pile material  126 . The strap assembly  120  can simply be wrapped around the frame F of the particular bicycle, and around the corresponding bike carrier channel. Those skilled in the art can envision other types of strap assemblies which may be used to secure the frame or other components of a bicycle to the bike carrier channels.  
         [0035]    [0035]FIG. 8 shows an alternative embodiment wherein the device of the invention is not mounted to a vehicle, but rather is permanently mounted to a stationary pedestal. As shown, this stationary embodiment pedestal assembly  130  simply comprises the vertical tube  18  attached to a base  132 . The base  132  is of sufficient weight and size to stabilize the upper components of the device, or the base  132  can be of a smaller size and bolted to the floor for support.  
         [0036]    FIGS.  9 - 11  illustrate yet another alternative embodiment of the invention which allows the invention to be adapted for mounting to another type of stationary base or pedestal. As shown in FIG. 9, this base  134  includes a vertical support member  136  having a lower end attached to base support member  138 . The upper end of vertical support member  136  attaches to horizontal receiving member  140 . Once the device is removed from a vehicle, the free end of insert tube  16  is inserted within the opening  141  of Horizontal receiving member  140 . One of the holes in insert tube  16  is aligned with hole  146  and a pin  144  may be used to secure the connection of insert tube  16  and receiving member  140 . A small flange  142  may be welded to horizontal receiving member  140 . This flange  142  helps to assure that anti-sway plate  26  sets flush against securing plate  34  and against the flange  142 .  
         [0037]    While various embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail, it is apparent that further modifications and adaptations of the invention will occur to those skilled in the art. However, it is to be expressly understood that such modifications and adaptations are within the spirit and scope of the present invention.