Bike rack trailer for transporting bicycles or other cargo

Abstract

The present invention contemplates an apparatus for, and methods of, conveniently transporting cargo by holding cargo securely in a way using a transport apparatus that can be coupled to a vehicle, for easy and convenient transport of the cargo. The invention contemplates a transport apparatus that is capable of horizontal, vertical, telescoping, and/or rotational collapse and/or expansion. The invention contemplates wheels on a collapsed transport apparatus that make moving from place to place very convenient, whether the transport apparatus is expanded or collapsed. Embodiments can be used to secure and transport cargo such as bicycles. Embodiments of the invention allow coupling of a transport apparatus to a vehicle by use of a standard ball joint and/or trailer hitch. Other embodiments could comprise a trailer connection attachment, which can be used to couple a transport apparatus to a vehicle in cases where the vehicle lacks its own trailer hitch.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A transport apparatus which is adapted for collapsing into a smaller size and expanding into a larger size. 
     
     
         2 . A transport apparatus as in  claim 1 , wherein collapsing and expanding the transport apparatus is accomplished with one or more telescoping horizontal elements. 
     
     
         3 . A transport apparatus as in  claim 1 , wherein collapsing and expanding the transport apparatus is accomplished with one or more telescoping vertical elements. 
     
     
         4 . A transport apparatus as in  claim 1 , wherein one or more telescoping vertical elements can comprise hollow sections which are adapted to hold one or more cargo holding beams after said cargo holding beams have been rotated into a vertical position. 
     
     
         5 . A transport apparatus as in  claim 1 , wherein one or more cargo holding beams can be rotated between a horizontal position and a vertical position. 
     
     
         6 . A transport apparatus as in  claim 1 , wherein a hinge connects one or more cargo holding beams to a telescoping vertical element. 
     
     
         7 . A transport apparatus as in  claim 1 , wherein one or more telescoping vertical elements can comprise an upper telescoping element which is adapted to slide into and out of a lower telescoping element. 
     
     
         8 . A transport apparatus as in  claim 7 , wherein a hollow section in said upper telescoping element is adapted to contain one or more cargo support beams, and a hollow section in said lower telescoping element is adapted to contain both the upper telescoping element and one or more cargo support beams which have been positioned within the upper telescoping element. 
     
     
         9 . A transport apparatus which comprises a hitching element. 
     
     
         10 . A transport apparatus as in  claim 9 , wherein the hitching element comprises a standard ball joint. 
     
     
         11 . A transport apparatus as in  claim 9 , wherein a trailer connection attachment is adapted to connect a transport apparatus to a vehicle. 
     
     
         12 . A transport apparatus as in  claim 11 , wherein the trailer connection attachment comprises extensions and a hitching element. 
     
     
         13 . A transport apparatus as in  claim 12 , wherein the extensions of the trailer connection attachment comprise straps, strings or cords. 
     
     
         14 . A transport apparatus as in  claim 12 , wherein the extensions on the trailer connection attachment are adapted to fit into an open vehicle door and/or trunk, and are adapted to be held in place when the vehicle door and/or trunk are closed. 
     
     
         15 . A transport apparatus as in  claim 12 , wherein the extensions on the trailer connection attachment comprise edge adaptations that are adapted to surround, or to otherwise be secured to, edges of a vehicle door and/or trunk. 
     
     
         16 . A transport apparatus as in  claim 15 , wherein the edge adaptations comprise end hooks. 
     
     
         17 . A transport apparatus as in  claim 11 , wherein the trailer connection attachment comprises a bumper interfacing element which is adapted to interface with a vehicle bumper. 
     
     
         18 . A transport apparatus as in  claim 11 , wherein the trailer connection attachment comprises a bumper hook which is adapted to interface with a bottom section of a vehicle bumper.