Patent ID: 8113398

Claim:
A carrier apparatus for carrying a bicycle on a vehicle, comprising: a carrier support structure having a first end portion, a middle portion, and a second end portion; a first wheel support section coupled to the first end portion of the carrier support structure, the first wheel support section including: a wheel engagement member mounted on the carrier support structure and configured to engage the first wheel at a first wheel location, thereby providing a first support point for the wheel; and a bracing arm pivotally attached to the first end portion of the carrier support structure independent from the wheel engagement member and configured to selectively move, relative to the carrier support structure, between a stowed position and a carrying position in which the bracing arm is adapted to engage the first wheel at a second wheel location, thereby providing a second support point for the wheel, wherein the first and second support points are configured to support a wheel so that a central point of the wheel extends beyond the first end portion of the carrier support structure when the bracing arm is in the carrying position; a second wheel support section coupled to the second end portion of the carrier support structure and configured to engage a second wheel of the bicycle; and a stabilizing arm coupled to the carrier support structure and including a gripping member configured to selectively grip the first wheel at a third wheel location when the wheel is engaged with the first wheel engagement section, wherein a distal end of the bracing arm is pivotable between the stowed position in which the distal end is directed toward the second wheel support section, and the carrying position in which the distal end is directed in an opposite direction from its orientation in the stowed position.