Patent ID: 7143914

Claim:
A latching rack system for supporting objects and configured to couple to a hitch receiver on a vehicle comprising: a latching rack platform; an object support structure; said latching rack platform configured for coupling to said hitch receiver; said latching rack platform including lateral support means for providing lateral support to said object support structure; said object support structure including latching means for releasably coupling said object support structure to lateral support means; a hitch ball coupled to said latching rack platform; a hitch ball cup coupled to said object support structure; wherein said hitch ball cup is adapted to pivot on said hitch ball; a support mast coupled to said latching rack platform; two lateral support flanges coupled to said support mast in a generally vertical configuration; and a striker pin permanently mounted to said lateral support flanges; wherein said latching means is configured to engage said striker pin upon contact; wherein said object support structure is configured to pivot on said hitch ball between a generally horizontal orientation and a generally vertical orientation; and wherein said latching means engages said striker pin upon contact with said striker pin when said hitch ball cup is positioned on said hitch ball and said object support structure is pivoted to a generally vertical orientation aligned with said lateral support flanges.