Patent ID: 7044347

Claim:
A stabilizer for a vehicle-mounted bicycle carrier having a frame, comprising: an inner section rotatably mounted to the frame for movement throughout a range of rotational positions relative to the frame, wherein the rotational positions of the inner section include one or more operative positions, wherein each of the operative positions corresponds to a predetermined angular position of the inner section relative to the frame, and wherein the inner section is in an inoperative position when the inner section is not in one of the operative positions; an outer section movably mounted to the inner section for movement between an extended position and a retracted position; a releasable engagement arrangement interposed between the inner section and the outer section for selectively maintaining the outer section in position relative to the inner section, wherein the releasable engagement arrangement includes an engagement member that is movable between an engaged position into engagement with the outer section to prevent movement of the outer section relative to the inner section, and a release position out of engagement with the outer section to allow movement of the outer section relative to the inner section; and a rotational position dependent interlock arrangement interconnected between the inner section and the releasable engagement arrangement, wherein the interlock arrangement includes interlock structure that is configured and arranged to maintain the engagement member of the releasable engagement arrangement in the release position when the inner section is in an inoperative position, and is further configured and arranged to enable movement of the engagement member of the releasable engagement arrangement to the engaged position when the inner section is rotated from an inoperative position to one of the operative positions.