Double decker article carrier for receiver assembly

Abstract

A double decker article carrier for mounting to a receiver assembly includes a frame having a pair of mounting bars for securing the frame to the receiver assembly and a pair of support members. A first platform is carried by the mounting bars and a second platform is carried by the support members. The platforms are carried in an aligned, stacked configuration with one over the other.

1 .) a double decker article carrier for mounting to a receiver assembly on a vehicle, comprising: 
 a frame including at least one elongated mounting bar extending in a first direction and at least one elongated support member extending in a second direction;    a first platform attached to said mounting bar; and    a second platform attached to said support member, said second platform being spaced from and at least partially overlying said first platform so as to provide a storage space between the platforms;    wherein the first and second platforms are fixed against relative movement.    
     
     
         2 .) The double decker article carrier of  claim 1 , further including at least one tie rod secured to said first platform.  
     
     
         3 .) The double decker article carrier of  claim 1 , further including at least one tie rod secured to said second platform.  
     
     
         4 .) The double decker article carrier of  claim 1 , wherein said at least one support member is substantially L-shaped.  
     
     
         5 .) A double decker article carrier for mounting to a receiver assembly on a vehicle, comprising: 
 a frame including a pair of spaced apart mounting bars for securing said frame to the receiver assembly and a pair of spaced apart support members;    a first platform associated with said pair of mounting bars; and    a second, substantially identical platform associated with said pair of support members and at least partially overlying the first platform.    
     
     
         6 .) The double decker article carrier of  claim 5 , further including at least one tie rod secured to said first platform.  
     
     
         7 .) The double decker article carrier of  claim 5 , further including at least one tie rod secured to said second platform.  
     
     
         8 .) The double decker article carrier of  claim 5 , wherein each of said pair of support members is substantially L-shaped.  
     
     
         9 .) The double decker article carrier of  claim 5 , wherein said first and second platforms are carried in an aligned, stacked configuration.  
     
     
         10 .) The double decker article carrier of  claim 5 , wherein each mounting bar of said pair of mounting bars includes a mounting aperture in a proximal end.  
     
     
         11 .) The double decker article carrier of  claim 10 , wherein a pin is received in each said mounting aperture.  
     
     
         12 .) The double decker article carrier of  claim 5 , further including fasteners for securing said first and second platforms to said pair of mounting bars and said pair of support members respectively so that a storage space is provided between the first and second platforms.  
     
     
         13 .) A double decker article carrier for mounting to a receiver assembly on a vehicle, comprising: 
 a frame including at least one mounting bar and at least one support member;    a first platform attached to said mounting bar; and    a second platform attached to said support member, said first and second platforms arranged so that at least a portion of said second platform is vertically aligned and stacked above at least a portion of said first platform.    
     
     
         14 .) The double decker article carrier of  claim 13 , wherein the support member is L-shaped and supports the second platform in a cantilevered fashion.  
     
     
         15 .) The double decker article carrier of  claim 13 , wherein the second platform includes a direction of elongation and the support member extends generally transverse to the direction of elongation.  
     
     
         16 .) The double decker article carrier of  claim 13 , wherein the attachment is made between an underside of the first platform and the mounting bar.  
     
     
         17 .) The double decker article carrier of  claim 13 , wherein the attachment is made between the underside of the second platform and the support member.  
     
     
         18 .) The double decker article carrier of  claim 13 , wherein the first platform includes a front edge and a rear edge, and wherein a portion of the mounting bar extends generally from the front edge to the rear edge.  
     
     
         19 .) The double decker article carrier of  claim 13 , wherein the second platform includes a front edge and a rear edge, and wherein a portion of the support member extends generally from the front edge to the rear edge.  
     
     
         20 .) The double decker article carrier of  claim 13 , wherein the first and second platforms are substantially identical.