Patent ID: 8602279

Claim:
A bicycle carrier 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 mast structure having lower and upper end portions, the lower end portion being pivotally connected to the tongue portion, a pair of arms rotatably connected to the upper portion of the mast structure, the arms being moveable between a collapsed position in which the arms are substantially parallel to the mast structure, and a use-position in which the arms are substantially perpendicular to the mast structure, a locking device configured to secure the arms alternately in the collapsed position and in the use-position, including a coupling member pivotally connected to the upper portion of the mast structure and fixedly connected to the arms, the coupling member being pivotal between a down position and an up position corresponding to the use-position and the collapsed position of the arms respectively, and a switch provided on the upper portion of the mast structure, the switch having a first position and a second position, the switch being biased toward the first position, wherein the coupling member is free to rotate between the down position and the up position when the switch is in the second position, the switch being capable of locking the coupling member in the down position and in the up position when the switch is in the first position, wherein the first position of the switch that locks the coupling member in the down position is at a substantially same elevation on the mast as the first position of the switch that locks the coupling member in the up position, and tube mounts on the arms for securing one or more bicycles to the arms.