Adjustable vehicle carrier for a rollator

Abstract

A rollator carrier is operable to quickly support and secure a rollator. The carrier includes a pair of cradles to support the rollator, and an arm that rotates between a horizontal and vertical position. With the arm down, a user can easily lift the rollator into the relatively low cradles. The user can then rotate the arm up to the vertical position and secure the rollator to the carrier with a clamp of the carrier extending from the top end of the arm.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A carrier operable to support and secure a rollator for transportation, said carrier comprising:
 a first tube section having a first end and a second end opposite the first end, wherein the second end is operable to engage a mount, wherein the first tube section has a longitudinal axis extending along the first tube section from the first end to the second end; 
 a second tube section affixed to the first tube section adjacent the first end of the first tube section, wherein the first tube section is substantially centered with respect to the second tube section and the second tube section has a first end and a second end opposite the first end, wherein the second tube section is substantially horizontal when the carrier is in a substantially upright position; 
 a first cradle affixed to the second tube section at the first end of the second tube section or adjacent to the first end of the second tube section; 
 a second cradle affixed to the second tube section at the second end of the second tube section or adjacent to the second end of the second tube section, wherein the second cradle is operable to support the rollator in cooperation with the first cradle; 
 a third tube section operable to engage the second first end of the first tube section, wherein the third tube section is operable to rotate about the longitudinal axis of the first tube section; 
 a fourth tube section affixed to the third tube section and operable to extend substantially perpendicularly from the third tube section, wherein the fourth tube section is affixed to the third tube section at or adjacent to a first end of the third tube section adjacent to a first end of the fourth tube section; and 
 a clamp extending from the fourth tube section, wherein the clamp is operable to secure the rollator to the carrier by engaging the rollator and preventing the rollator from bouncing out of the first cradle and the second cradle while the rollator is being transported on the carrier; wherein:
 the third tube section is rounded adjacent a second end of the third tube section opposite the first end of the third tube section and the third tube section is operable to fit within or over a portion of the first tube section such that a longitudinal axis of the third tube section is collinear with the longitudinal axis of the first tube section; 
 the first tube section has an alignment hole adjacent the first end of the first tube section; 
 the third tube section has a first hole operable to align with the alignment hole in the first tube section when the fourth tube section is substantially parallel to the second tube section; and 
 the third tube section has a second hole operable to align with the alignment hole in the first tube section when the fourth tube section is substantially vertical and the carrier is in the substantially upright position. 
 
 
     
     
       2. The carrier of  claim 1 , further comprising an alignment pin tethered to the fourth tube section, said alignment pin operable to:
 engage the alignment hole of the first tube section and the first hole of the third tube section to hold the fourth tube section substantially parallel to the second tube section; or 
 engage the alignment hole of the first tube section and the second hole of the third tube section to hold the fourth tube section substantially vertical when the carrier is in the substantially upright position; and wherein the alignment hole is in a top of the first tube section. 
 
     
     
       3. The carrier of  claim 1 , further comprising an alignment pin operable to:
 engage the alignment hole of the first tube section and the first hole of the third tube section to hold the fourth tube section substantially parallel to the second tube section; or 
 engage the alignment hole of the first tube section and the second hole of the third tube section to hold the fourth tube section substantially vertical when the carrier is in the substantially upright position; and wherein the alignment hole is in on a top lateral surface of the first tube section, wherein the alignment pin is a spring loaded pin affixed to a lateral side of the first tube section. 
 
     
     
       4. The carrier of  claim 1 , wherein the first cradle and the second cradle each comprise a pair of protrusions extending generally upwardly from the second tube section when the second tube section is in an upright position for receiving the rollator. 
     
     
       5. The carrier of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the mount is a vehicle receiver hitch; 
 the first tube section has a hitch pin hole adjacent the second end of the first tube section; and 
 the first tube section is formed from square metal tubing. 
 
     
     
       6. The carrier of  claim 1 , wherein the second tube section is affixed to the first tube section by welding and the fourth tube section is affixed to the third tube section by welding. 
     
     
       7. The carrier of  claim 1 , wherein the second tube section comprises a single piece of tube. 
     
     
       8. The carrier of  claim 1 , wherein the second tube section comprises:
 a first portion welded to the first tube section; and  
 a second portion welded to the first tube section opposite the first portion. 
 
     
     
       9. The carrier of  claim 1 , wherein the clamp extends from a second end of the fourth tube section opposite the first end of the fourth tube section, and wherein the clamp comprises:
 a hook having a first portion extending generally perpendicularly from the fourth tube section and a second portion extending generally parallel to the fourth tube section toward the first end of the fourth tube section; 
 a spring connected to the hook and connected to the fourth tube section, said spring biasing the hook into the second end of the fourth tube section; and 
 a handle extending generally perpendicularly from the fourth tube section in a direction generally opposite the first portion of the hook. 
 
     
     
       10. A carrier operable to support and secure a rollator for transportation, said carrier comprising:
 a first tube section having a first end and a second end opposite the first end, wherein the second end is operable to engage a mount, wherein the first tube section has a longitudinal axis extending along the first tube section from the first end to the second end; 
 a second tube section affixed to the first tube section adjacent the first end of the first tube section, wherein the first tube section is substantially centered with respect to the second tube section and the second tube section has a first end and a second end opposite the first end, wherein the second tube section is substantially horizontal when the carrier is in a substantially upright position; 
 a first cradle affixed to the second tube section at the first end of the second tube section or adjacent to the first end of the second tube section; 
 a second cradle affixed to the second tube section at the second end of the second tube section or adjacent to the second end of the second tube section, wherein the second cradle is operable to support the rollator in cooperation with the first cradle; 
 a third tube section operable to engage the second first end of the first tube section, wherein the third tube section is operable to rotate about the longitudinal axis of the first tube section; 
 a fourth tube section affixed to the third tube section and operable to extend substantially perpendicularly from the third tube section, wherein the fourth tube section is affixed to the third tube section at or adjacent to a first end of the third tube section adjacent to a first end of the fourth tube section; and 
 a clamp extending from the fourth tube section, wherein the clamp is operable to secure the rollator to the carrier by engaging the rollator and preventing the rollator from bouncing out of the first cradle and the second cradle while the rollator is being transported on the carrier; wherein the clamp extends from a second end of the fourth tube section opposite the first end of the fourth tube section, and wherein the clamp comprises:
 a hook having a first portion extending generally perpendicularly from the fourth tube section and a second portion extending generally parallel to the fourth tube section toward the first end of the fourth tube section; 
 a spring connected to the hook and connected to the fourth tube section, said spring biasing the hook into the second end of the fourth tube section; and 
 a handle extending generally perpendicularly from the fourth tube section in a direction generally opposite the first portion of the hook. 
 
 
     
     
       11. The carrier of  claim 10 , wherein:
 the third tube section is rounded adjacent a second end of the third tube section opposite the first end of the third tube section and the third tube section is operable to fit within or over a portion of the first tube section such that a longitudinal axis of the third tube section is collinear with the longitudinal axis of the first tube section; 
 the first tube section has an alignment hole adjacent the first end of the first tube section; 
 the third tube section has a first hole operable to align with the alignment hole in the first tube section when the fourth tube section is substantially parallel to the second tube section; and 
 the third tube section has a second hole operable to align with the alignment hole in the first tube section when the fourth tube section is substantially vertical and the carrier is in the substantially upright position. 
 
     
     
       12. The carrier of  claim 11 , further comprising an alignment pin tethered to the fourth tube section, said alignment pin operable to:
 engage the alignment hole of the first tube section and the first hole of the third tube section to hold the fourth tube section substantially parallel to the second tube section; or 
 engage the alignment hole of the first tube section and the second hole of the third tube section to hold the fourth tube section substantially vertical when the carrier is in the substantially upright position; and wherein the alignment hole is in a top of the first tube section. 
 
     
     
       13. The carrier of  claim 11 , further comprising an alignment pin operable to:
 engage the alignment hole of the first tube section and the first hole of the third tube section to hold the fourth tube section substantially parallel to the second tube section; or 
 engage the alignment hole of the first tube section and the second hole of the third tube section to hold the fourth tube section substantially vertical when the carrier is in the substantially upright position; and wherein the alignment hole is in on a top lateral surface of the first tube section, wherein the alignment pin is a spring loaded pin affixed to a lateral side of the first tube section. 
 
     
     
       14. The carrier of  claim 11 , wherein the first cradle and the second cradle each comprise a pair of protrusions extending generally upwardly from the second tube section when the second tube section is in an upright position for receiving the rollator. 
     
     
       15. The carrier of  claim 11 , wherein:
 the mount is a vehicle receiver hitch; 
 the first tube section has a hitch pin hole adjacent the second end of the first tube section; and 
 the first tube section is formed from square metal tubing. 
 
     
     
       16. The carrier of  claim 11 , wherein the second tube section is affixed to the first tube section by welding and the fourth tube section is affixed to the third tube section by welding. 
     
     
       17. The carrier of  claim 11 , wherein the second tube section comprises a single piece of tube. 
     
     
       18. The carrier of  claim 11 , wherein the second tube section comprises:
 a first portion welded to the first tube section 
 a second portion welded to the first tube section opposite the first portion. 
 
     
     
       19. A carrier operable to support and secure a rollator for transportation, said carrier comprising:
 a first tube section having a first end and a second end opposite the first end, wherein the second end is operable to engage a mount, wherein the first tube section has a longitudinal axis extending along the first tube section from the first end to the second end; 
 a second tube section affixed to the first tube section adjacent the first end of the first tube section, wherein the first tube section is substantially centered with respect to the second tube section and the second tube section has a first end and a second end opposite the first end, wherein the second tube section is substantially horizontal when the carrier is in a substantially upright position; 
 a first cradle affixed to the second tube section at the first end of the second tube section or adjacent to the first end of the second tube section; 
 a second cradle affixed to the second tube section at the second end of the second tube section or adjacent to the second end of the second tube section, wherein the second cradle is operable to support the rollator in cooperation with the first cradle; 
 a third tube section operable to engage the second first end of the first tube section, wherein the third tube section is operable to rotate about the longitudinal axis of the first tube section; 
 a fourth tube section affixed to the third tube section and operable to extend substantially perpendicularly from the third tube section, wherein the fourth tube section is affixed to the third tube section at or adjacent to a first end of the third tube section adjacent to a first end of the fourth tube section; and 
 a clamp extending from the fourth tube section, wherein the clamp is operable to secure the rollator to the carrier by engaging the rollator and preventing the rollator from bouncing out of the first cradle and the second cradle while the rollator is being transported on the carrier; wherein the clamp extends from a second end of the fourth tube section opposite the first end of the fourth tube section, and wherein the claim clamp comprises:
 a hook having a first portion extending generally perpendicularly from the fourth tube section and a second portion extending generally parallel to the fourth tube section toward the first end of the fourth tube section; 
 a spring connected to the hook and connected to the fourth tube section, said spring biasing the hook into the second end of the fourth tube section; and 
 a handle extending generally perpendicularly from the fourth tube section in a direction generally opposite the first portion of the hook; wherein 
 
 the third tube section is rounded adjacent a second end of the third tube section opposite the first end of the third tube section and the third tube section is operable to fit within or over a portion of the first tube section such that a longitudinal axis of the third tube section is collinear with the longitudinal axis of the first tube section; 
 the first tube section has an alignment hole adjacent the first end of the first tube section; 
 the third tube section has a first hole operable to align with the alignment hole in the first tube section when the fourth tube section is substantially parallel to the second tube section; and 
 the third tube section has a second hole operable to align with the alignment hole in the first tube section when the fourth tube section is substantially vertical and the carrier is in the substantially upright position.