Bicycle Carrier with Integrated Work Stand
A bicycle carrier is provided with an integrated work stand to support a bicycle during maintenance or repair. The integrated work stand may be used when the bicycle carrier is in a non-use configuration. The non-use configuration may also comprise a storage configuration for the bicycle carrier. The integrated work stand may retract into the bicycle carrier. The integrated work stand may include an arm with a clamp mechanism at one end of the arm. The bicycle carrier may include a locking mechanism to lock the integrated work stand in place with respect to the bicycle carrier. Integrated work stands having jaws may capture the frame of a bicycle in the jaws.
1 . A bicycle carrier for a vehicle comprising:
a support member configured to attach to a vehicle and pivoting from a use configuration to a non-use configuration;
a bicycle docking assembly attached to the support member, the bicycle docking assembly comprising an arm extending from the support member and a clamp mechanism attached to the arm, the clamp mechanism spaced apart from the support member;
wherein the arm extends and retracts with respect to the support member to a plurality of bicycle support positions;
wherein when the support member is in the non-use configuration the bicycle docking assembly is configured to support a bicycle at least partially off the ground at one of the plurality of bicycle support positions by securing a portion of a frame of the bicycle in the clamp mechanism; and
wherein the clamp mechanism comprises a ratchet and pawl mechanism.
2 . The bicycle carrier of claim 1 wherein the non-use configuration is a storage configuration.
3 . The bicycle carrier of claim 1 wherein the clamp mechanism comprises a pair of jaws for clamping a portion of a bicycle frame.
4 . The bicycle carrier of claim 1 wherein extending the arm configures the bicycle docking assembly to support the bicycle with both wheels off the ground.
5 . The bicycle carrier of claim 1 wherein the arm extends from and retracts into the support member.
6 . A bicycle carrier for a vehicle comprising:
a support member configured to attach to a vehicle and pivoting from a use configuration to a non-use configuration;
a bicycle docking assembly attached to the support member, the bicycle docking assembly comprising an arm extending from the support member and a clamp mechanism attached to the arm, the clamp mechanism spaced apart from the support member;
wherein the arm pivots with respect to the support member;
and a locking assembly to fix the arm with respect to the support member;
wherein when the support member is in the non-use configuration the bicycle docking assembly is configured to support a bicycle at least partially off the ground by securing a portion of a frame of the bicycle in the clamp mechanism; and
wherein the clamp mechanism comprises a ratchet and pawl mechanism.
7 . The bicycle carrier of claim 6 wherein the arm extends and retracts with respect to the support member.
8 . The bicycle carrier of claim 7 wherein the arm extends from and retracts into the support member.
9 . The bicycle carrier of claim 8 wherein extending the arm configures the bicycle docking assembly to support the bicycle with both wheels off the ground.
10 . The bicycle carrier of claim 6 wherein the clamp mechanism comprises a pair of jaws for clamping a portion of a bicycle frame.
11 . A bicycle carrier for a vehicle comprising:
a support member configured to attach to a vehicle and pivoting from a use configuration to a non-use configuration;
a bicycle docking assembly attached to the support member;
wherein when the support member is in a non-use configuration, the bicycle docking assembly is configured to support a bicycle by its frame to allow for repair or adjustments; and
wherein the bicycle docking assembly comprises an arm with a clamp mechanism at an end thereof, and the clamp mechanism comprises a ratchet and pawl mechanism.
12 . The bicycle carrier of claim 11 wherein the bicycle docking assembly.
13 . The bicycle carrier of claim 12 wherein the arm extends and retracts with respect to the support member.
14 . The bicycle carrier of claim 13 wherein the arm extends from and retracts into the support member.
15 . The bicycle carrier of claim 13 further comprising a locking assembly configured to lock the bicycle docking assembly with respect to the support member.
16 . The bicycle carrier of claim 15 wherein the locking assembly comprises a latch to prevent movement of the arm with respect to the support member.
17 . The bicycle carrier of claim 15 wherein the clamp mechanism comprises a pair of jaws for squeezing a portion of a frame of a bicycle.
18 . The bicycle carrier of claim 11 wherein the non-use configuration is a storage configuration.
19 . The bicycle carrier of claim 11 wherein the bicycle docking assembly supports the bicycle with both wheels above the ground.
20 . The bicycle carrier of claim 12 wherein the bicycle docking assembly pivots with respect to the support member from a stored position to a use position.