Abstract:
A removable, portable, carrier system for the transportation of a human powered vehicle on the exterior of a motorized vehicle, said carrier system comprises: a first independent means for releasably securing the handles of the human powered vehicle to the exterior of said motorized vehicle, and a second, independent means for releasably securing the seat of the human powered vehicle to the exterior of said motorized vehicle.

Description:
BACKGROUND 
       [0001]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0002]    The present invention relates to a bike carrying device, and more particularly to a portable bike carrying device for use with a wheeled or other motorized vehicle, such as a car, a van, a truck, a train, a boat, an ATV or the like, 
         [0003]    2. Description of the Related Art 
         [0004]    It is well known to carry objects such as bicycles on the roof of vehicles such as cars by means of a roof rack. Roof racks come in many varieties; however, they usually include a rack and an attachment means for securely and releasably mounting the rack to the roof of the car. The roof rack attachment means may comprise a series of adjustable straps which secure the roof rack onto the roof rack of the car. These straps are usually provided with hooks and usually attach to the door jams of the car. In some types of roof racks, the attachment means comprises a series of suction cups which secure the roof rack member to the roof of the car by suction. The roof rack attachment means may also comprise a combination of suction cups and straps. 
         [0005]    The geometry of the rack portion of the roof rack varies depending on the type of objects to be mounted, but typically the rack consists of several longitudinal beams arranged in parallel to extend transversely across the roof of the car. The beams may be provided with bumper pads on their underside which bear against the car roof to provide support. The bumper pads may be made of rubber or plastic and in some cases may comprise suction cups. The straps (where straps are used as the attachment means) usually comprise a long strap mounted to the end of each of the beams. The lengths of the straps are usually adjustable to tighten the beams onto the roof. When the rack is mounted in place on the vehicle roof, the ends of the beams are positioned at either side of the car. Elastic cords (such as bungee cords) or straps are usually used to secure the object to the beams. In some cases the beams have special projections for providing convenient attachment points for the bungee cords, while in other cases the beams are provided with clamps for securing specific objects such as skis. 
         [0006]    Certain roof racks are designed and dedicated for carrying specific objects. Racks designed for carrying bicycles for instance often have a plurality of straps and beams for rigidly securing the frame of the bicycle so that it will not move during transport. The beams usually include special slots for receiving the wheels of the bicycle. 
         [0007]    Thus, one of the major drawbacks associated with many of these prior art bike rack designs is that they are relatively difficult and inconvenient to assemble, thereby making the process of installation undesirably time-consuming and difficult. Consequently, once a conventional bicycle rack is installed, it is often left in place, which can leave the vehicle difficult to park, wash, or otherwise maintain. Moreover, the rack itself may be damaged. 
         [0008]    An additional problem with prior art bicycle racks is that the size and weight of such devices requires that they be assembled and placed on a vehicle in anticipation of the need to transport a bicycle. Thus, a cyclist cannot carry a portable bike rack that can be used as needed to transport a bicycle. There is no solution for easily transporting a bicycle using a bike rack where the need of the bike rack was sudden, such as when a rider is injured or becomes ill or when a ride must be ended early due to inclement weather. 
         [0009]    There is therefore a need for a new and improved roof rack assembly that overcomes the drawbacks of prior roof rack assemblies. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0010]    In order to address the outstanding needs in the field, the present invention provides a removable, portable, carrier system for transporting a bicycle on roof, trunk, hood or other exterior portion of a moving vehicle, such as a car, truck, bus, van or the like. The carrier system of the present invention comprises two flexible sleeves wherein each sleeve comprises opposing ends, each of which has a magnet for attaching the relevant sleeve to the car. Each sleeve further comprises at least one elongated, flexible strap for securing the sleeve to a bicycle. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0011]      FIG. 1  is a top view of a carrier for securing a bicycle seat to a motor vehicle according to the present invention. 
           [0012]      FIG. 2  is a bottom view of a carrier for securing a bicycle seat to a motor vehicle according to the present invention, 
           [0013]      FIG. 3  is a top perspective view of the carrier of  FIG. 1  in use. 
           [0014]      FIG. 4  is a top view of a carrier for securing a bicycle handlebar according to the present invention. 
           [0015]      FIG. 5  is a bottom view of a carrier for securing a bicycle handlebar according to the present invention. 
           [0016]      FIG. 6  is a top perspective view of he carrier of  FIG. 4  in use. 
           [0017]      FIG. 7  is a side elevation view of the carriers of  FIG. 1  and  FIG. 4 . 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS 
       [0018]    As stated previously, conventional bicycle racks and carrying devices as known in the prior art. However, prior art bicycle carrying devices are large, heavy, cumbersome, and typically challenging to assemble and attach to a motor vehicle. 
         [0019]    Additionally, art bicycle racks is that the size and weight of such devices requires that they be assembled and placed on a vehicle in anticipation of the need to transport a bicycle. Thus, a cyclist cannot carry a portable bike rack that can be used as needed to transport a bicycle. There is no solution for easily transporting a bicycle using a bike rack where the need of the bike rack was sudden, such as when a rider is injured or becomes ill or when a ride must be ended early due to inclement weather. The present invention meets this need in the art. 
         [0020]    In one exemplary embodiment, the bike carrier system  1000  ( FIG. 7 ) of the present invention comprises a first carrier sleeve  100  and a second carrier  200 . As shown in  FIG. 1 , first carrier sleeve  100 , adapted to secure the horn of a traditional bicycle seat, comprises a sheath having a first end  110  and a second end  120  and a rigid core. The sheath of first carrier  100  may be constructed of any material. However, it is desirable that the sheath comprises an inexpensive, durable, water resistant material. Sheath  100  may further comprise a rigid support member along its longitudinal axis. 
         [0021]    Referring now to  FIG. 2 , there is shown a bottom view of first carrier sleeve  100 . Carrier sleeve  100  further comprises a first means for releasably attaching carrier sleeve  100  to a vehicle, such as a car, a bus, a van, a boat, an ATV, a train, or other vehicle. Generally, said vehicle is a motorized vehicle having a surface suitable for attaching carrier sleeve  100  using said means for releasably attaching carrier sleeve  100  to a vehicle. In one embodiment, this first means for releasably attaching carrier sleeve  100  to a vehicle preferably comprises a magnet  115  fixedly attached to end  110  of carrier sleeve  100 . 
         [0022]    Referring again to  FIG. 2 , there is again shown a bottom view of first carrier sleeve  100  having second end  120 . Again, carrier sleeve  100  further comprises a second means for releasably attaching carrier sleeve  100  to a vehicle, such as a car, a bus, a van, a boat, an ATV, a train, or other vehicle. Generally, said vehicle is a motorized vehicle having a surface suitable for attaching carrier sleeve  100  using said second means for releasably attaching carrier sleeve  100  to a vehicle. In one embodiment, this second means for releasably attaching carrier sleeve  100  to a vehicle preferably comprises a magnet  125  fixedly attached to end  120  of carrier sleeve  100 . In a preferred embodiment, straps  150  are made of nylon. 
         [0023]    Although magnets  115  and  125  are the preferred means  151  for releasably attaching carrier sleeve  100  to a vehicle, the present inventors envision other means of releasable attachment, including: suction cups, adhesive, Velcro, or fasteners such as screws. 
         [0024]    Referring again to  FIG. 1 , sheath  100  is preferably of rigid construction. However, in an alternative embodiment an optional stabilization member may be used. The stabilization member should be a rigid elongated piece comprised of any relatively strong durable, corrosion resistant, material, such as aluminum or stainless steel or a polymer. 
         [0025]    As shown in  FIG. 1 , carrier sheath  100  further comprises flexible, straps  150  for releasably attaching a carrier sheath  100  to a bicycle seat (not shown). Straps  150  may be constructed of any suitably material for outdoor use and for sewing or otherwise permanently affixing strap  150  to carrier sheath  100 . 
         [0026]    In an exemplary embodiment, strap  150  comprises means for releasably tying opposing ends of said straps to one another. Said means may comprise a buckle, Velcro, a quick connect or other securing means. 
         [0027]    Referring now to  FIG. 2 , there is shown a bottom perspective view of carrier sleeve  100 . In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, magnets  115  and  125  are arranged such that the respective poles of the magnets  115  and  125  face the same direction. 
         [0028]    As shown in  FIG. 1  and  FIG. 2 , carrier sheath  100  covers magnets  115  and  125  such that they do not scratch or otherwise damage the surface of a vehicle to which carrier sheath  100  may be attached. 
         [0029]    Referring now to  FIG. 3 , there is shown a perspective view of carrier system  1000  in use, where it is shown that the horn of a standard bicycle seat is releasably connected to carrier sheath  100  via straps  150  by looping, or tying strap  150  around said bicycle seat. As shown in  FIGS. 3 , the horn of a standard bicycle seat rests on the carrier sheath  100 . Strap  150  is looped around the seat to releasably secure the bicycle seat to carrier sheath  100 . 
         [0030]    Referring now to  FIG. 4 , the bike carrier system  1000  of the present invention further comprises a second carrier  200 . As shown in  FIG. 4 , second carrier sleeve  200 , adapted to secure the handlebars of a traditional bicycle seat, comprises a flexible sheath having a first end  210  and a second end  220 . The flexible sheath of second carrier  200  may be constructed of any desired material. However, it is desirable that the sheath comprises an inexpensive, durable, preferably water resistant material. 
         [0031]    Referring again to  FIG. 4 , carrier sheath  200  further comprises flexible, straps  250  for releasably attaching carrier sheath  200  to a bicycle handlebar. Straps  250  may be constructed of any suitably material for outdoor use and for sewing or otherwise permanently affixing straps  250  to carrier sheath  200 . Preferably, straps  250  are made of nylon and provided as a pair, with one strap at each end of carrier sheath  200 . 
         [0032]    Referring now to  FIG. 6 , there is shown a perspective view of carrier  200  in use, where it is shown that the handles of a standard bicycle are releasably connected to carrier sheath  200  via straps  250  by looping, or tying straps  250  around said bicycle handlebars. 
         [0033]    Referring now to  FIG. 5 , there is shown a bottom view of second carrier sleeve  200 . Carrier sleeve  200  further comprises a means for releasably attaching carrier sleeve  200  to a vehicle, such as a car, a bus, a van, a boat, an ATV, a train, or other vehicle. Generally, said vehicle is a motorized vehicle having a surface suitable for attaching carrier sleeve  200  using said means for releasably attaching carrier sleeve  200  to a vehicle. In one embodiment, this means for releasably attaching carrier sleeve  200  to a vehicle comprises one or more magnets  215  fixedly attached to each end of carrier sleeve  200 . 
         [0034]    As shown in  FIG. 5 , magnets  215  are the preferred means for releasably attaching carrier sleeve  200  to a vehicle. However, the present inventors envision other means of releasable attachment, including: suction cups, adhesive, Velcro, or fasteners such as screws. 
         [0035]    Referring again to  FIG. 5 , there is shown a bottom perspective view of carrier sleeve  200 . In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, magnets  215  and  225  are arranged such that the respective poles of the magnets  215  and  225  face the same direction. 
         [0036]    As shown in  FIG. 4  and  FIG. 5 , carrier sheath  200  covers magnets  215  and  225  such that they do not scratch or otherwise damage the surface of a vehicle to which carrier sheath  200  may be attached. 
         [0037]    It should be understood that the above description is of a preferred embodiment and included for illustrative purposes only, and it is not meant to be limiting of the invention. A person skilled in the art will understand that variations of this invention are included within the scope of the claims.