Bike rack

Abstract

A bike rack having a plurality of bike supports arranged symmetrically about a vertical axis. The bike supports include an upper portion with a V-shaped cross-section. A valance is disposed over each of the plurality of bike supports.

1 . A bike rack comprising:
 a plurality of bike supports arranged symmetrically about a central vertical axis, wherein the bike supports include a channel with a V-shaped cross-section; and   a valance disposed over each of the plurality of bike supports.   
     
     
         2 . The bike rack of  claim 1 , wherein each of the plurality of bike supports includes a base abutment. 
     
     
         3 . The bike rack of  claim 1 , wherein the bike support includes a plurality of notches disposed in the V-shaped channel thereof. 
     
     
         4 . The bike rack of  claim 1 , wherein the V-shaped channel is connected with a first support member and a second support member. 
     
     
         5 . The bike rack of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a lock bar fixedly attached to the bike support.   
     
     
         6 . The bike rack of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a support column disposed proximate the vertical axis.   
     
     
         7 . The bike rack of  claim 1 , wherein adjacent valances that are disposed on the plurality of bike supports are connected at different heights. 
     
     
         8 . A bike support, comprising:
 first and second support members disposed in a substantially vertical orientation, the first and second support members including a base abutment; and   a channel disposed between the first and second support members, the channel including a V-shaped cross-section.   
     
     
         9 . The bike support of  claim 8 , further comprising:
 a lock bar extending from one of the first and second support members.   
     
     
         10 . The bike support of  claim 8 , wherein the channel includes a plurality of notches extending therethrough. 
     
     
         11 . The bike support of  claim 8 , wherein the web includes first and second tire abutment members disposed at an angle between 50 degrees and 65 degrees. 
     
     
         12 . The bike support of  claim 8 , further comprising:
 a center column operably connected to the bike support.   
     
     
         13 . The bike support of  claim 8 , further comprising:
 a valance operably connected with and extending over the bike support.   
     
     
         14 . The bike support of  claim 8 , further comprising:
 a connecting bracket adapted to secure the bike support in a substantially vertical orientation.   
     
     
         15 . A method of making a bike rack, the method comprising:
 forming a bike support with a V-shaped channel;   extending a valance over the bike support; and   forming a lower portion of the bike rack with a base abutment adapted to engage a rear bike tire.   
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15 , the method further comprising:
 extending a tire prop from the base abutment.   
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16 , the method further comprising:
 connecting multiple bike supports in a polygonal orientation.   
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17 , the method further comprising:
 placing adjacent valances at different heights.   
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18 , the method further comprising:
 connecting the multiple bike supports to a single support column.   
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein the method of connecting multiple bike supports further comprises:
 connecting the multiple bike supports around one of a tree and a pole.