Bicycle carrier

Abstract

The present invention is a rack system or bicycle carrier configured to prevent contact or damage onto vehicle body accessories such as a spoiler or fin. The bicycle carrier pivotally engages or mounts onto the rear end of a vehicle and preferably has a clearance frame, which is an additional frame extension, which provides the clearance needed over the spoiler or fin. The clearance frame is preferably attached to the upper frame or portion of the bicycle carrier and can be adjusted or rotationally positioned. The bicycle carrier is configured for all vehicle types such as sedans, hatchbacks, and sport utility vehicles.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A bicycle carrier adapted to mount onto a rear portion of a vehicle, the bicycle carrier comprising:
 one or more body frames;   one or more clearance frames; and   one or more straps;   wherein said one or more body frames are comprised of one or more arm supports, one or more upper frames, and one or more lower frames;   wherein said one or more arm supports are configured to removeably fasten to one or more bicycles;   wherein said one or more upper frames and said one or more lower frames are connected, such that said one or more upper frames and said one or more lower frames engage with and mount onto a rear portion of a vehicle;   wherein said vehicle is configured to have at least one vehicle body accessory;   wherein said clearance frame is connected to said one or more body frames, such that said one or more clearance frames ensure that no portion of said bicycle carrier contacts said at least one vehicle body accessory of said vehicle when said bicycle carrier is mounted on said vehicle; and   wherein said one or more straps removeably fasten said bicycle carrier to said vehicle.   
     
     
         2 . The bicycle carrier in  claim 1 , wherein said one or more clearance frames are a straight-shaped frame. 
     
     
         3 . The bicycle carrier in  claim 1 , wherein said one or more clearance frames are angular. 
     
     
         4 . The bicycle carrier of  claim 1 , wherein said one or more support arms are connected to said one or more upper frames. 
     
     
         5 . The bicycle carrier of  claim 1 , wherein said one or more support arms are connected to said one or more lower frames. 
     
     
         6 . The bicycle carrier of  claim 1 , wherein said one or more support arms and said one or more upper frames are part of a same frame piece. 
     
     
         7 . The bicycle carrier of  claim 1 , wherein said one or more support arms and said one or more lower frames are part of a same frame piece. 
     
     
         8 . The bicycle carrier of  claim 1 , wherein said one or more clearance frames are pivotally attached to said one or more upper frames. 
     
     
         9 . The bicycle carrier of  claim 1 , wherein said one or more clearance frames are pivotally attached to said one or more lower frames. 
     
     
         10 . The bicycle carrier of  claim 1 , wherein said one or more clearance frames are pivotally attached to said one or more arm supports. 
     
     
         11 . The bicycle carrier of  claim 1 , wherein said one or more body frames are one or more U-shaped frames. 
     
     
         12 . The bicycle carrier of  claim 1 , wherein said one or more body frames are one or more H-shaped frames. 
     
     
         13 . The bicycle carrier of  claim 1 , wherein said one or more clearance frames are one or more U-shaped frames. 
     
     
         14 . The bicycle carrier of  claim 1 , wherein said one or more clearance frames are one or more H-shaped frames. 
     
     
         15 . The bicycle carrier of  claim 1 , wherein said one or more clearance frames are substantially rectangular. 
     
     
         16 . The bicycle carrier of  claim 1 , wherein said one or more clearance frames are an add-on frame extension. 
     
     
         17 . The bicycle carrier of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a plurality of adjustment hubs;   wherein said one or more lower frames are pivotally connected by said plurality of adjustment hubs to said one or more upper frames;   wherein said one or more clearance frames are pivotally connected by said plurality of adjustment hubs to said one or more body frames; and   wherein said bicycle carrier is foldable at said plurality of adjustment hubs for storage when not in use.   
     
     
         18 . The bicycle carrier of  claim 1 , wherein said one or more straps includes one or more upper attachment straps;
 wherein said one or more upper attachment straps removeably fasten said clearance frame to an upper portion of said vehicle.   
     
     
         19 . The bicycle carrier in  claim 1 , further comprising:
 one or more cushioning members;   wherein said one or more cushioning members prevent one or more scratches onto said vehicle.   
     
     
         20 . A bicycle carrier adapted to mount onto a rear portion of a vehicle, the bicycle carrier comprising:
 one or more upper frames;   one or more lower frames;   one or more bike support frames;   one or more clearance frames;   a plurality of adjustment hubs; and   one or more straps;   wherein said one or more upper frames and said one or more lower frames are pivotally connected by said plurality of adjustment hubs, such that said upper frame and said lower frame engage with and mount onto a rear portion of a vehicle;   wherein said one or more bike support frames is pivotally connected by said plurality of adjustment hubs to said lower frame;   wherein said vehicle is configured to have at least one vehicle body accessory;   wherein said one or more clearance frames are pivotally connected by said plurality of adjustment hubs to said one or more upper frames, such that said one or more clearance frames ensure that no portion of said bicycle carrier contacts said at least one vehicle body accessory of said vehicle when said bicycle carrier is mounted on said vehicle;   wherein said one or more bike support frames are configured to fasten one or more bicycles;   wherein said one or more straps fasten said bicycle carrier to said vehicle;   wherein said one or more straps include one or more upper attachment straps;   wherein said one or more upper attachment straps removeably fasten said clearance frame to an upper portion of said vehicle; and   wherein said bicycle carrier is foldable for storage when not in use.   
     
     
         21 . The bicycle carrier in  claim 20 , wherein said one or more clearance frames are angular and a U-shaped frame. 
     
     
         22 . The bicycle carrier in  claim 20 , wherein said one or more clearance frames are angular and an H-shaped frame. 
     
     
         23 . The bicycle carrier in  claim 20 , wherein said one or more clearance frames are angular and substantially rectangular. 
     
     
         24 . The bicycle carrier in  claim 20 , wherein said one or more clearance frames are straight-shaped and a U-shaped frame. 
     
     
         25 . The bicycle carrier in  claim 20 , wherein said one or more clearance frames are straight-shaped and an H-shaped frame. 
     
     
         26 . The bicycle carrier in  claim 20 , wherein said one or more clearance frames are straight-shaped and substantially rectangular. 
     
     
         27 . A bicycle carrier adapted to mount onto a rear portion of a vehicle, the bicycle carrier comprising:
 an upper frame;   a lower frame;   a bike support frame;   a clearance frame;   a plurality of adjustment hubs; and   one or more straps;   wherein said bike support frame is pivotally connected by said plurality of adjustment hubs to said lower frame;   wherein said lower frame is pivotally connected by said plurality of adjustment hubs to said upper frame and contacts a lower rear portion of said vehicle;   wherein said upper frame contacts an upper rear portion of a vehicle;   wherein said vehicle has at least one vehicle body accessory;   wherein said clearance frame is pivotally connected by said plurality of adjustment hubs to said upper frame, such that said clearance frame ensures that no portion of said bicycle carrier contacts said at least one vehicle body accessory of said vehicle when said bicycle carrier is mounted on said vehicle;   wherein said bike support frame is configured to fasten one or more bicycles;   wherein said clearance frame is angular and is a U-shaped frame;   wherein said one or more straps fasten said bicycle carrier to said vehicle;   wherein said one or more straps include one or more upper attachment straps;   wherein said one or more upper attachment straps removeably fasten said clearance frame to an upper portion of said vehicle; and   wherein said bicycle carrier is foldable for storage when not in use.