Patent ID: 8636184

Claim:
A compact folding bicycle carrier for motor vehicles, said carrier comprising: a) a substantially T-shaped frame with a bracket at an upper end and an elongated body depending from said bracket, said bracket and elongated body being in substantially perpendicular relationship; b) a lower foot member pivotally mounted to said frame, said lower foot member movable between a folded or closed position and an opened or operational position, said lower foot member being in substantially parallel relationship with said frame when in said closed position, said lower foot member being pivoted away from said frame when in said operational position; and a pair of articulated carrying members pivotally mounted to said frame, each said carrying member being movable between a folded or closed inoperable position and an opened or extended operable position; whereby said bicycle carrier may be folded when said members are in their inoperable, closed position to form a compact package; d) each said articulated carrying member includes a supporting arm and a carrying arm, one of each said carrying arms associated with one of each said supporting arms, each said carrying arm pivotally mounted at a distal end of its respective supporting arm and constrained for pivotal movement from a substantially parallel relationship with its respective supporting arm to a substantially perpendicular relationship with its respective supporting arm, each said supporting arm pivotally mounted at opposite ends of said bracket of said T-shaped frame for movement between opened and closed positions, said supporting arms are in said closed position when in substantially parallel relationship with said elongated body, said supporting arms forming a substantially Y-shape with said T-shaped frame when in their opened positions.