Hydraulic e-bike carrier
View Patent ↗A vehicle-mounted bike carrier specifically designed for electric bicycles, featuring a hydraulic lifting mechanism for easy loading and unloading, a sliding hitch for convenient access to the vehicle's tailgate or trunk, foldable cradles for the wheels, and a compact design for easy storage. The carrier allows users, especially those with limited physical strength, to transport heavy e-bikes safely and efficiently.
1. A vehicle-mounted bike carrier for electric bicycles, comprising:
a stationary component detachably coupled to a receiver tube of a vehicle hitch;
a moving component slidably coupled to the stationary component;
a hydraulic lifting mechanism coupled between the stationary component and the moving component for raising and lowering the moving component;
two bicycle carriers on the moving component for supporting one or more electric bicycles;
foldable cradles for the bike wheels, wherein one side of each cradle functions as a ramp for loading the bicycle and the other side securely holds the wheels;
a sliding hitch that allows the carrier to remain attached while accessing the vehicle's tailgate or trunk;
a pair of top bars that swing down to secure a bike's seat or handlebars;
a compact design that folds into a 1-foot by 5-foot platform on wheels for easy storage.
2. The vehicle-mounted bike carrier of claim 1 , wherein the hydraulic lifting mechanism is powered by a 12V plug that connects to the vehicle's trailer light connector.
3. The vehicle-mounted bike carrier of claim 1 , wherein the stationary component comprises:
a hitch tube that slides into the receiver tube and is retained by a hitch pin;
a first lateral cross member coupled to the top of the distal end of the hitch tube;
a pair of vertical armatures coupled to the top of the first lateral cross member and extending vertically.
4. The vehicle-mounted bike carrier of claim 1 , wherein the moving component comprises:
a vertical frame coupled to a horizontal frame, both of which move simultaneously;
the two bicycle carriers coupled to the horizontal frame;
the top retention bars pivotably coupled to the lateral sides of the vertical frame at the top.
5. The vehicle-mounted bike carrier of claim 4 , wherein the vertical frame comprises:
a pair of vertical guides that are vertically oriented and parallel;
a second lateral cross member coupled between the tops of the pair of vertical guides;
wherein a linear actuator creates straight-line motion when energized by an electrical potential, moving the ends of the actuator away from or towards each other responsive to the polarity of the electrical potential;
wherein the horizontal frame comprises a plurality of caster wheels to aid in moving the carrier when detached from the vehicle; and
wherein the foldable cradles and top retention bars are designed to secure the bicycles during transport and fold for compact storage.
6. A vehicle-mounted bike carrier for electric bicycles, comprising:
a stationary component detachably coupled to a receiver tube of a vehicle hitch;
a moving component slidably coupled to the stationary component;
a hydraulic lifting mechanism coupled between the stationary component and the moving component, configured to raise and lower the moving component relative to the stationary component;
a pair of bicycle carriers mounted on the moving component, each bicycle carrier configured to support an electric bicycle;
foldable cradles on each bicycle carrier, wherein each cradle comprises:
a first side that functions as a loading ramp for an electric bicycle wheel;
a second side configured to securely hold the electric bicycle wheel during transport;
a sliding hitch mechanism allowing the carrier to move horizontally relative to the vehicle while remaining attached, enabling access to the vehicle's tailgate or trunk;
stabilizing bars pivotably mounted to swing down and secure a portion of each electric bicycle;
a folding mechanism allowing the carrier to compact into a substantially flat configuration for storage.
7. The vehicle-mounted bike carrier of claim 6 , wherein the hydraulic lifting mechanism is powered by a 12V electrical connection compatible with a vehicle's trailer light connector.
8. The vehicle-mounted bike carrier of claim 6 , wherein the stationary component comprises:
a hitch tube configured to slide into and be retained within the receiver tube;
a first lateral cross member coupled to a distal end of the hitch tube;
a pair of vertical armatures coupled to and extending vertically from the first lateral cross member.
9. The vehicle-mounted bike carrier of claim 6 , wherein the moving component comprises:
a vertical frame;
a horizontal frame coupled to the vertical frame;
the pair of bicycle carriers coupled to the horizontal frame;
a pair of top retention bars pivotably coupled to lateral sides of the vertical frame.
10. The vehicle-mounted bike carrier of claim 9 , wherein the vertical frame comprises:
a pair of parallel, vertically oriented guides;
a second lateral cross member coupled between upper ends of the pair of vertical guides.
11. The vehicle-mounted bike carrier of claim 6 , wherein the hydraulic lifting mechanism comprises a linear actuator creating straight-line motion when energized, the direction of motion determined by the polarity of an applied electrical potential.
12. The vehicle-mounted bike carrier of claim 6 , further comprising a plurality of caster wheels coupled to the moving component to facilitate movement of the carrier when detached from the vehicle.
13. The vehicle-mounted bike carrier of claim 6 , wherein the foldable cradles are pivotably mounted to rotate between a horizontal position for bicycle support and a vertical position for storage.
14. The vehicle-mounted bike carrier of claim 6 , further comprising adjustable wheel retention straps on each foldable cradle.
15. The vehicle-mounted bike carrier of claim 6 , wherein the stabilizing bars are length-adjustable to accommodate different bicycle sizes.
16. A method of loading an electric bicycle onto the vehicle-mounted bike carrier of claim 6 , comprising:
lowering the moving component to ground level using the hydraulic lifting mechanism;
pivoting the foldable cradles to a horizontal position;
rolling the electric bicycle up the first side of the foldable cradles;
securing the electric bicycle wheels to the second side of the foldable cradles;
pivoting the stabilizing bars to secure the electric bicycle frame;
raising the moving component using the hydraulic lifting mechanism.
17. The vehicle-mounted bike carrier of claim 6 , wherein the folding mechanism allows the carrier to compact into a configuration not exceeding 1 foot by 5 feet in its largest dimensions.
18. The vehicle-mounted bike carrier of claim 6 , further comprising a control interface allowing a user to operate the hydraulic lifting mechanism.
19. The vehicle-mounted bike carrier of claim 6 , wherein the pair of bicycle carriers are configured to support electric bicycles with a combined weight of at least 150 pounds.
20. The vehicle-mounted bike carrier of claim 6 , further comprising a locking mechanism to secure the moving component in a raised position during transport.