Kuat Innovations, LLC

Northstar Battery Company, LLC

Austin Harrill

Luke Kuschmeader

Jordan K Bowles

Aaron A Houston

Jonathan Graif

Don Karner

Jordan Bowles

John Hooke

Parker Lathrop

Steve Burns

Frank Fleming

Ulf Krohn

Christer Lindkvist

Doug Smith

A bicycle carrier with a pivoting hub and a removable add-on carrier to carry additional bicycles includes an actuator handle on the add-on carrier. When actuated by a user, the actuator handle disengages the pivoting hub to allow the bicycle carrier to pivot. A latch mechanism is provided to allow the actuator handle on the add-on carrier to be disconnected from the pivoting hub when the add-on carrier is removed from the bicycle carrier. The latch mechanism comprises a first linkage connected to the pivoting hub, a connector body attached to the first linkage, and a second linkage in the add-on carrier that is configured to connect and disconnect to the first linkage via the connector body. The connector body may be shaped to guide the linkage during the process of attaching the extension assembly to the bicycle rack.

Actuator for pivoting bicycle carrier

A latch assembly is described for use with a pivoting hitch device that allows the pivoting of a bicycle rack away from the rear of a vehicle to allow access to a lift gate, tail gate, trunk, hatchback, or other rear access point for a vehicle. The pivoting hitch device has two support members that are pivotally attached to one another. The latch assembly is attached to one of the support members of the pivoting hitch device, and may have an actuator, a latch bar, and a connecting member that connects the actuator to the latch bar. A latch member is attached to the other support member of the pivoting hitch device. The latch bar engages the latch member to secure the two support members in relation to one another and prevent pivotal movement.

Latch assembly for pivoting hitch device

An equipment rack is described with an integrated lighting system. The integrated lighting system may connect to the vehicle's electrical system to provide tail light, brake light, hazard, reverse light, and turn signal functions. The lighting system may include an automatic connection for lighting attached to a rack extension when the rack extension is attached to a base rack. The lighting may also be visible on a pivoting rack when the rack is stowed or in use to carry bicycles. The lighting elements may be disposed on or inside the equipment rack and may be provided with internal wiring to connect the lights to the vehicle's electrical system.

Equipment rack with lighting

A bicycle rack is described with an actuated arm that pivots to an open position in response to user activation of the actuator. The actuator is attached to the rack and the arm and exerts a force on the arm by extension to pivot the actuated arm to the open position. The actuator extends only when a release mechanism has been actuated by a user, but a user may pivot the actuated arm back to a closed position, or a position securing a bicycle, without actuating the release. The actuated arm will then be retained at a position selected by the user until the release is actuated by the user again.

Bicycle rack with actuated arm

A latch mechanism for a pivoting bicycle rack provides a pivot release actuator on an extension that is added on to the bicycle rack. The latch mechanism comprises a connector body that is attached to the bicycle rack, and that may have an actuator for operating the pivot release. The rack extension assembly has an actuator and a linkage that connects to the connector body in the bicycle rack so that the actuator in the extension can release the pivot on the bicycle rack. The connector body may be shaped to guide the linkage during the process of attaching the extension assembly to the bicycle rack. The mechanism may be provided with a means for disconnecting the linkage from the connector body.

Actuator for pivoting bicycle rack

A bicycle rack is described with a retention arm for securing a wheel of the bicycle to the bicycle rack. The retention arm is provided with a tire chock for contacting the tire of the bicycle. An adjustable tire chock may be positioned on the retention arm to secure different sizes of bicycles with different sizes of wheels on the bicycle rack. The adjustable tire chock may have latching components that can be released by a user with a single hand by applying opposing or rotational forces to the latch components or the tire chock. The latch components may be provided with a biasing mechanism to urge them into a latch or engaged position when aligned with latching features on the retention arm.

Bicycle rack with adjustable tire chock

A latch mechanism for a pivoting bicycle rack provides a pivot release actuator on an extension that is added on to the bicycle rack. The latch mechanism comprises a connector body that is attached to the bicycle rack, and that may have an actuator for operating the pivot release. The rack extension assembly has an actuator and a linkage that connects to the connector body in the bicycle rack so that the actuator in the extension can release the pivot on the bicycle rack. The connector body may be shaped to guide the linkage during the process of attaching the extension assembly to the bicycle rack.

Growing community of inventors

Springfield, MO, United States of America

Austin Harrill