Patent ID: 8235267

Claim:
A carrier for a bicycle, comprising a tongue portion having a proximal end portion and a distal end portion, the proximal end portion being configured for connection to a vehicle hitch, a frame portion pivotally connected to the distal end portion of the tongue portion, a base connected to the frame portion, the base having opposing end portions, each end portion having a wheel well for supporting a bicycle wheel, and a mast structure pivotally mounted to the frame portion, configured for movement between an upright use position for securing a bicycle, and a horizontal collapsed position substantially parallel to the base, the mast structure being equipped with a slidable hook for engaging a top tube of a bicycle, wherein at least one of the wheel wells includes a hoop having an engagement region to engage a bicycle wheel, wherein the hoop is pivotal from an extended position for carrying a bicycle to a collapsed position in which the hoop is folded back toward the base and frame portion, and wherein a straight line extending from a top region of the at least one wheel well to the engagement region of the hoop slopes downward toward the engagement region when the hoop is in the extended position.