Abstract:
This disclosure relates to the field of bicycle racks configured in one form to retain a plurality of bicycles within a truck-style vehicle. In one form, the vehicle has an open bed and a tailgate with the tailgate in the lowered or open position. In another form, the vehicle has an open bed and the tailgate in the raised or closed position. In yet another form, a trailer hitch receiver is utilized to attach the bicycle rack to a vehicle.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application claims priority benefit of U.S. Ser. No. 61/414,162, filed Nov. 16, 2010 incorporated herein by reference. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE 
     Field of the Disclosure 
       [0002]    This disclosure relates to the field of bicycle racks configured in one form to retain a plurality of bicycles within a truck-style vehicle. In one form, the vehicle has an open bed and a tailgate with the tailgate in the lowered or open position. In another form, the vehicle has a closed bed and the tailgate in the raised or closed position. In yet another form, a trailer hitch receiver is utilized to attach the bicycle rack to a vehicle. 
       SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE 
       [0003]    Disclosed herein is a bicycle rack to be attached to a vehicle, the bicycle rack in one form comprising several components. The first component being a base frame configured to be removably coupled to the vehicle as a unit. The second component being a forward support extending upward from the frame and pivotably coupled thereto. In one form, the forward support comprises a plurality of upright members. Another component being an upper cross member attached to and extending between the forward upright members, wherein the forward cross member supports the bicycle at the V formed at a down tube and front fork junction of the bicycle. 
         [0004]    The bicycle rack as recited above may further comprise a compressible protective pad attached to the upper forward cross member so as to protect the bicycle from contacting the upper forward cross member. 
         [0005]    In one embodiment, straps attach to the compressible protective pad at transverse locations to prohibit transverse movement of the bicycle relative to the compressible protective pad. 
         [0006]    The bicycle rack may be configured to attach to a vehicle where the vehicle comprises a tailgate in an upward or closed position, and the compressible pad overlies and protects an exterior portion of the tailgate from contact with the frame of the bicycle. In another configuration, the vehicle comprises a tailgate in a lower or open position and the base frame of the bicycle rack is coupled to the tailgate and extends into a bed portion of the vehicle to substantially prohibit movement or rotation of the tailgate relative to a bed portion of the vehicle. 
         [0007]    A different embodiment is disclosed wherein: the vehicle comprises a trailer hitch receiver. In this embodiment, the bicycle rack may comprise a lower horizontal bar coupled to the base frame; and the lower horizontal bar may be configured to be removably coupled to the trailer hitch receiver. 
         [0008]    The bicycle rack as disclosed may further comprise an upwardly angled bar pivotably coupled to the lower horizontal bar so as to be selectively positioned thereto; and an upper horizontal bar pivotably coupled to the upwardly angled bar so as to be selectively positioned thereto; and the base frame is fixedly coupled to the upper horizontal bar. 
         [0009]    The bicycle rack as disclosed may be assembled wherein the bicycle rack is arranged longitudinally relative to the vehicle. The bicycle rack may alternatively be assembled wherein the bicycle rack is arranged transversely relative to the vehicle. 
         [0010]    The bicycle rack as disclosed may further comprise a rear extension portion pivotably coupled to the base frame and extending upwardly and rearwardly therefrom. In one form, the rear extension comprises a plurality of separator bars having a gap there between slightly larger than the width of a back wheel of the bicycle to be held in the bicycle rack. The bicycle rack may be assembled wherein the separator bars maintain transverse positioning of the back wheel of the bicycle relative to the frame. 
         [0011]    Also disclosed is a protective pad for protecting a vehicle having a tailgate from direct contact with the frame of a bicycle. In one form the pad comprises: a conformable main body; a plurality of tailgate attachment straps configured to attach the protective pad to the tailgate of the vehicle; and, a plurality of bicycle attachment straps attached to the protective pad at transverse locations thereon to couple the pad to the bicycle. In this embodiment, the bicycle may contact the protective pad at the V formed at the down tube and front fork junction. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0012]      FIG. 1  is a side view of one embodiment of the disclosure attached to a pickup truck with the tailgate in a lowered position. 
           [0013]      FIG. 2  is a side view of one embodiment of the disclosure attached to a pickup truck with the tailgate in a raised position. 
           [0014]      FIG. 3  is a side view of one embodiment of the disclosure attached to a pickup truck with the tailgate in a raised position. 
           [0015]      FIG. 4  is a side view of one embodiment of the disclosure attached to a trailer hitch receiver of a pickup truck with the tailgate in a raised position. 
           [0016]      FIG. 5  is a top view of one embodiment of the disclosure with two bicycles attached thereto. 
           [0017]      FIG. 6  is a side view of one embodiment of the disclosure without a vehicle nor bicycle shown. 
           [0018]      FIG. 6A  is a side view of the embodiment of  FIG. 6  in a storage configuration. 
           [0019]      FIG. 7  is a top view of the embodiment of  FIG. 6 . 
           [0020]      FIG. 8  is a side view of three separated portions of one embodiment of the disclosure. 
           [0021]      FIG. 9  is a top view of the base frame in one embodiment of the disclosure. 
           [0022]      FIG. 10  is a plan view of one embodiment of the rear extension portion of the disclosure removed from the other components. 
           [0023]      FIG. 11  is a plan view of one embodiment of the forward extension portion removed from the other components. 
           [0024]      FIG. 12  is a side cutaway view of one embodiment of the disclosure as shown in  FIG. 1 , with the bicycles and pad removed to show the remaining portions. 
           [0025]      FIG. 13  is a side cutaway view of one embodiment of the pad and straps attached thereto. 
           [0026]      FIG. 14  is a side cutaway view of one embodiment of the disclosure showing how the straps may be used to attach the pad to the frame and the bicycle to the pad. 
           [0027]      FIG. 15  is a cutaway detail view taken along line  15 - 15  of  FIG. 14 . 
           [0028]      FIG. 16  is a side cutaway view of one embodiment of the disclosure utilizing a frame attached to a tailgate of a truck. 
           [0029]      FIG. 17  is a side cutaway view of one embodiment of the disclosure utilizing a pad attached to a tailgate of a truck with no frame utilized 
           [0030]      FIG. 18  is a side view of the embodiment of  FIG. 4  in a partially collapsed orientation to reduce the vertical space required. 
           [0031]      FIG. 19  is a side view of the embodiment of  FIG. 18  in another stage of collapse. 
           [0032]      FIG. 20  is a side view of the embodiment of  FIG. 19  in another stage of collapse. 
           [0033]      FIG. 21  is a top view of the embodiment of  FIG. 4  where the bicycles will be attached in a longitudinal orientation. 
           [0034]      FIG. 22  is a top view of the embodiment of  FIG. 4  where the bicycles will be attached in a transverse orientation. 
       
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0035]    The bicycle carrying rack disclosed herein in several embodiments improves upon prior devices in that a bicycle can be conveniently, quickly, and securely placed upon and mounted to the rack without removing the wheels/tires. The rack is also easily modified. For example, the rack may be mounted to the back of a pickup truck with the tailgate down as shown in  FIG. 1 , or with the tailgate up as in  FIG. 2 . It is also conceived that the rack may be attached to the top (roof) or other portion of a vehicle. Additionally, the rack may be used where the bicycle does not engage the front portion of the rack at all, but rather engages the pad portion only as shown in  FIG. 3 . Additionally the rack may be used with components to attach to a trailer hitch receiver as shown in  FIG. 4   
         [0036]    Looking to  FIG. 1 , one embodiment of the bicycle rack  20  is shown mounted to the tailgate  22  of a pickup  24 . The tailgate  22  is attached to the bed portion  26  of the pickup  24  by way of a hinge  28 . Thus, there is a seam  30  between the tailgate  22  and the bed  26 . When it is in its uppermost or closed position, the tailgate  22  will normally engage the sidewalls  32  of the pickup truck  24 , as is well known in the art. In one form, the rack  20  is removably attached to the tailgate  22  by way of a plurality of straps  34 . 
         [0037]    A numbering system will be utilized in this disclosure wherein a general description of a component will have a numeric identifier, and a particular element will have an alphabetic suffix. For example, the rear posts  56  of  FIG. 1  are identified by the number  56 , whereas particular posts of  FIG. 7  are labeled  56   a  and  56   b.    
         [0038]    Looking to  FIG. 2 , it can be seen how the bicycle  36  is supported vertically and held in position by one embodiment of the rack  20 . As shown, the V formed at the intersection of the down tube  38  and head tube  40  of the bicycle  36  rests upon an upper member  42  which may be covered by a compressible protective pad  106 . Additionally, a plurality of straps  44  engage either the down tube  38  and/or head tube  40  to hold the bicycle from moving transversely along the axis of the upper member  42 . These straps  44  prohibit the bicycle from repositioning sideways and engaging adjacent bicycles, or falling off of the rack and potentially out of the vehicle (pickup), the rack  20  below the upper cross member  42 , the pickup, or other apparatuses that could damage the bicycle or be damaged by the bicycle  36 . Additionally, prior to tightening of the straps  44 , the front wheel/tire  46  is allowed to rotate about the axis of the head tube  40  so as to reduce the longitudinal extension of the front tire  46  and front forks  48  longitudinally rearward of the rack  20 . Additionally, as the handlebars  50  of the bicycle are normally one of the widest parts, it may be desired to have the handlebars  50  rotated along with the front tire  46  to allow adjacent bicycles to be positioned closer together. A rear cross member  52  is provided at the rear of the rack  20 , upon which rests the rear tire  54 . A plurality of rear posts  56 , substantially similar to the upper posts  44  and in longitudinal alignment therewith, may be provided to engage either side of the rear wheel/tire  54  to prohibit transverse movement of the rear portion of the bicycle relative to the rack  20 . 
         [0039]    To ease in understanding of the specific directions, an axis system  10  is shown in  FIG. 1 , and generally comprising a vertical axis  12 , transverse axis  14 , and longitudinal axis  16 . These axes are intended to aid in understanding and are not intended to be read as limitations of the disclosure or claims. 
         [0040]    Also shown in the embodiment of  FIG. 9 , is the rack  20  comprises a base frame  108  which in turn comprises a middle cross member  58  and a forward cross member  60 , which are connected to a plurality of longitudinal rails  62  along with the rear cross member  52 . In one form, the cross members  52 ,  58 , and  60  are welded, bolted, riveted, or otherwise affixed to the longitudinal rails  62 . In one form, the base frame  108  is instead a unitary structure, such as a metal plate. In one form, the straps  34  (see  FIG. 12 ) pass over the middle cross member  58  and forward cross member  60 , pass under the tailgate  22  and are ratcheted or otherwise tensioned to securely hold the rack  20  in place upon the tailgate  22 . A ratchet or buckle could be used for this purpose. Tests have shown that when the base frame  108  does not extend substantially into the fixed bed  26 , the tailgate  22  may tend to rotate as the vehicle bounces or is otherwise jarred, such as in an off-road environment. Thus, in one form, as shown in  FIG. 12 , the longitudinal rails  62  extend longitudinally forward into the bed  26  of the pickup  24 , well forward of the seam  30  and when properly secured to the tailgate  22 , the longitudinal rails  62  resist rotation of the tailgate  22  about the hinge  28 . 
         [0041]    Looking to  FIGS. 6 and 7 , a top view of the rack  20  is shown with the bicycle  36  removed to more clearly show the components of the rack  20 . These components include the parts already described and also show a plurality of vertical posts  64 , more easily seen in  FIG. 11 , connecting the base frame  108  to a forward support  112  including the upper cross member  42 . Also as shown, the rear separator assembly  66  is shown attached to the rear cross member  52  and the rear posts  56  extending substantially vertical therefrom. In one form, the rear posts comprise a series of paired posts  56   a  and  56   b  with a gap  68  therebetween. In one form, the gap  68  is slightly smaller than the width of a standard rear tire  54  and somewhat larger than the width of the rear wheel  70 . As the rear tire  54  is generally compressible, forcing the rear tire into the gap  68  will tend to hold the rear portion of the bicycle  36  in place. As the rear wheel  70  is generally not compressible, it would obviously not be desired to have the gap  68  narrower than the rear wheel  70 , although, it is conceived that the rear posts  56  in some embodiments may be partially deformed outward providing a spring clamp upon the rear tire  54  and/or rear wheel  70 . In one form, a malleable or friction-inducing covering is provided on the rear posts  56 , such as a polymer. Similarly, an upper separator assembly  72  is disclosed, generally comprising the upper cross member  42  and the straps  44   
         [0042]    In one embodiment, the rear separator assembly  66  further includes a pivoting rear extension portion  114  as shown in  FIG. 11 , and as shown pivotably attached to the base frame in  FIGS. 6 and 7 . As shown, the rear extension portion  114  in one form is pivotably attached to the base frame by way of fasteners  116  through voids in upright posts  118  extending from the base frame, and aligned voids in the rear extension portion  114 . To maintain the rear extension portion in the correct position, a plurality of pivot stops  122  may be utilized. The pivot stops hold the rear extension portion in position once it has been rotated from the collapsed position shown in  FIG. 6A , to the extended position shown in  6  where arms  124  of the rear extension portion  114  contact the pivot stops  122 . In one form, the pivot stops  122  are rod-like such as bolts, and may have a malleable surface thereupon to reduce vibration noise, and damage to the components. 
         [0043]    A rear transverse cross member  120  may be fixed to the rearward/uppermost portion of arms  124  of the rear extension portion  114 . This rear transverse cross member  120  provides a stable attachment for rear tire separator bars  126  which fit on either transverse side of the rear tire  54  of the bicycle  36  in the same way as the rear posts  56  as defined above. As shown in  FIG. 5 , the rear tire separator bars  126   a  and  126   b  may be aligned with associated rear posts  56   a  and  56   b  respectively to hold the same rear tire of the bicycle. 
         [0044]    In the embodiments described thus far, the rack  20  has been shown in an upright or assembled configuration. In  FIG. 6A , the pins  96 , which resist rotation of the vertical posts  64  relative to the longitudinal rails  62 , have been released and the vertical posts  64  and the connected forward support assembly  72  have been rotated in direction  104  about pivot pins  106 . In addition, the rear extension portion has been rotated about pivots  116  in direction of travel  128  to a collapsed position. This repositioning of the forward and rear upright portions significantly reduces the vertical dimension of the overall rack  20 , whereupon it can be removed and/or stowed much easier. Alternatively, the apparatus can be folded to this orientation while still attached to the tailgate  22  of the pickup  24 . When it is desired to utilize the rack  20  in one form, the rear extension member is rotated about the pivots  116  opposite the direction of travel  128  until contact is made with the pivot stops  122 . Then the vertical posts  64  are rotated upward about the pivots  106 to the orientation shown in  FIG. 6 , whereupon the pins  96  are re-inserted into the surfaces defining voids  108 / 109  of the frame and vertical posts  64  respectively. 
         [0045]    In one embodiment of the disclosure, the upper cross member  42  is lower than the cross member shown. This orientation of a lower upper cross member reduces the vertical height of the handlebars above the bed of the vehicle when compared to the embodiments shown. By reducing the vertical height or the bicycle in the rack, it has been found possible to insert the bicycle into the rack when the rack is installed in a truck bed, even when a canopy or equivalent is present over the bed of the truck. In this embodiment, the rear wheels may extend vertically lower than the upper surface of the tailgate and/or bed of the vehicle. Additionally, by rotating the front wheel assembly, the longitudinal length of the bicycle is reduced, thus the bicycle will extend a much shorter distance rearwardly of the rack. 
         [0046]    The rack is easily modified in form and function. For example, in  FIG. 1 , the rack  20  is strapped to the tailgate in a lowered position, so that a larger portion of the bed  26  is available for use in transporting other items. The method for such an attachment is shown in  FIG. 12  and described above. Alternatively,  FIG. 2  shows the rack  20  strapped to the tailgate in a raised position. In this arrangement, the bicycle extends significantly less beyond the back of the truck, but some of the storage space in the bed  26  is given up. This arrangement is more clearly shown in  FIG. 16 , where the strap  34  wraps around the tailgate  22 , and around upright portions of the rack  20 . In one form, the same strap is used to secure the pad  106  over the tailgate  22  and upright portions of the rack  20 , both to protect the bicycle from the tailgate  22  and rack  20 , but also to protect the tailgate  22  from damage resulting from contact with the bicycle  36 . As it is usually less of a concern to protect the interior surface  130  of the tailgate  22 , and bed  26  from damage, there may be little or no protection therebetween, although pads  132  may be provided. 
         [0047]    Looking to  FIG. 4 , it can be seen how the truck  24  has a trailer hitch receiver such as have become quite common not only to trucks, but to other vehicles capable of towing a trailer. Such receivers commonly come in box sizes where the inside measurement of the receiver is 1¼″, 2″, or 2½″. This embodiment comprises a lower horizontal bar  134  inserted into the hitch receiver  136  and held in place by way of a pin  138  or equivalent fastener. The lower horizontal bar  134  in one form is coupled to an upwardly angled bar to extend the rack  20  rearward of the tailgate. In one form the upwardly angled bar  140  is pivotably mounted to the lower horizontal bar  134  by way of a pivot  142 , and maintained in position by way of a pin  144  in a lower position as shown in  FIG. 18 , or in a raised position as shown in  FIG. 18 . In one form, the upwardly angled bar  140  is attached to the frame  20  as previously described. In the embodiment shown, an upper horizontal bar  146  is pivotably coupled to the upwardly angled bar  140  at a pivot  148  and held in place by way of a pin  150  in a usable orientation as seen in  FIGS. 18 and 19  or in a storage orientation as seen in  FIG. 20  where the overall apparatus takes up significantly less space than that shown in  FIG. 4 . The frame  20  is then fixed by fasteners, welding, or other ways to the upper horizontal bar  146 . 
         [0048]    In another embodiment, not shown, the frame  20  is mounted directly to the horizontal bar  134  where the apparatus will be in a lower position than that shown in  FIG. 4 . 
         [0049]    In the embodiments shown in  FIGS. 4 , and  18 - 21  the bicycles are arranged longitudinally, such that the rear tires are forward of the front tires relative to the orientation of the vehicle. These embodiments, as well as that shown in  FIG. 1  could be arranged in reverse, with the front wheel of the bicycle forward of the rear wheel. This would be less feasible in the arrangement of  FIG. 2  as the tailgate position may interfere with such an arrangement. 
         [0050]    Another arrangement is provided in  FIG. 22 , where the rack is arranged along the transverse axis  14 , so that the bicycles would be arranged with the front and rear wheels facing the left and right transverse sides of the vehicle, in either a left facing, or a right facing arrangement. 
         [0051]    Looking to  FIG. 14 , the strap  44  can be seen attached to the downtube  38  of the bicycle  36 . One form of this strap  44  is shown in  FIG. 16  attached to the pad  106  by stitching to a covering thereof. This stitching  152  may also attach the strap to the pad  106 . As shown, the strap  44  may have a hook style clip thereon which attaches to a loop  156  after being passed around a portion of the bicycle  36 . At which point the free end  158  of the strap  44  may be tensioned to firmly secure the bicycle  36 . 
         [0052]    As shown in  FIGS. 14 and 15  a hook and lop fastener  160  may be used to attach portions of the pad  106  to the frame. Such fasteners are well known and generally comprise a strap  162  having a loop portion  164  and a hook portion  166  which interoperate and can be used as shown to attach to the rack  20 . In one form, the hook and loop fastener is stitched  168  to the pad  106  or may be otherwise affixed thereto. 
         [0053]    As further shown in  FIGS. 13-16 , quick release clips  176 ,  178 ,  180 ,  182  and  184  may be used to facilitate easy attachment and removal of the rack  20  to and from the vehicle. In the embodiment of  FIG. 14 , clips  180  and  182  are linked around the middle cross member  172 , and the strap  160  holds the lower portion of the pad  106  in place. In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 16 , the same connections are made with clips  180  and  182 , clip  184  is not used, and clips  176  and  178  are connected around the tailgate  22  to hold the pad  106  in place thereupon. In the embodiment of  FIG. 17  the pad  106  is used without the rack  20 . In this arrangement, clips  180  and  184  are coupled around the tailgate  22 , and clips  176  and  178  are also coupled together. As shown, clip  182  is not used in this arrangement. 
         [0054]    Looking to  FIG. 11 , one embodiment of the forward support  112  is shown comprising the vertical posts  64  and a plurality of cross members including a middle cross member  42  and lower cross member  174  attached thereto. The cross members  172  and  174  have a plurality of vertical interconnecting posts  170  attached thereto. In turn, the vertical interconnecting posts  170  support and are attached to the upper cross member  42  previously described. 
         [0055]    While the present invention is illustrated by description of several embodiments and while the illustrative embodiments are described in detail, it is not the intention of the applicants to restrict or in any way limit the scope of the appended claims to such detail. Additional advantages and modifications within the scope of the appended claims will readily appear to those sufficed in the art. The invention in its broader aspects is therefore not limited to the specific details, representative apparatus and methods, and illustrative examples shown and described. Accordingly, departures may be made from such details without departing from the spirit or scope of applicants&#39; general concept.