Bike racks configured to mount to a hitch of a vehicle and to support a bike. The bike racks include a frame, a rack, and an adjustable hook. The frame is configured to selectively couple to the hitch of the vehicle. The rack is supported on the frame in a horizontal orientation and at an elevated position on the frame. The adjustable hook includes a first hook member and a second hook member spaced from the first hook member. The bike hangs vertically by a handlebar or a fork from the adjustable hook. The handlebar is tilted relative to the horizontal orientation of the rack when the handlebar or the fork is supported by the adjustable hook to allow tighter lateral packing of adjacent bikes. The spacing between the first hook member and the second hook member is adjustable.

A lock for securing a bicycle to a dock. The lock consumes little power in operation, with transitions between states in which a bicycle is locked to a dock and released from the dock being driven predominately by force applied to the bicycle by a user. Force applied to the bicycle may drive a latch within the lock to move between a latched and unlatched position. A locking member may be driven in one direction by an actuator and retained by an arm that blocks movement of the locking member. The locking member may be driven in the other direction by spring force, when the locking member is released by movement of the arm, which is coupled to the latch and therefore driven by a user applying force to a bicycle. As a result, a small battery may supply power to the actuator and to communication and control circuitry.

A lock for securing a bicycle to a dock. The lock consumes little power in operation, with transitions between states in which a bicycle is locked to a dock and released from the dock being driven predominately by force applied to the bicycle by a user. Force applied to the bicycle may drive a latch within the lock to move between a latched and unlatched position. A locking member may be driven in one direction by an actuator and retained by an arm that blocks movement of the locking member. The locking member may be driven in the other direction by spring force, when the locking member is released by movement of the arm, which is coupled to the latch and therefore driven by a user applying force to a bicycle. As a result, a small battery may supply power to the actuator and to communication and control circuitry.

An overhead storage device or system may include a mechanism for hoisting the object to be stored (e.g., a bicycle) at an elevated height (e.g., above grade or floor level). In general, the present teachings may include a cable pulley engaged with a constant torque spring unit structurally configured to apply an approximately constant torque to the cable spool that promotes rotation of a spool thereof for winding of a lift cable about the spool to lift a load. Also disclosed are techniques for improving such a constant toque lifting unit such as an inertial brake structurally configured to slow down or stop an undesired, accelerated winding of a lift cable, a self-coiling device structurally configured to advantageously wind the lift cable a predetermined amount (e.g., for removal of same as a hinderance), and an attachment mechanism structurally configured to securely couple to a load.

An overhead storage device or system may include a mechanism for hoisting the object to be stored (e.g., a bicycle) at an elevated height (e.g., above grade or floor level). In general, the present teachings may include a cable pulley engaged with a constant torque spring unit structurally configured to apply an approximately constant torque to the cable spool that promotes rotation of a spool thereof for winding of a lift cable about the spool to lift a load. Also disclosed are techniques for improving such a constant toque lifting unit such as an inertial brake structurally configured to slow down or stop an undesired, accelerated winding of a lift cable, a self-coiling device structurally configured to advantageously wind the lift cable a predetermined amount (e.g., for removal of same as a hinderance), and an attachment mechanism structurally configured to securely couple to a load.

The present invention relates to a multi-purpose carrier for a vehicle which is configured to load a bicycle, skis, a snowboard, or other articles onto the vehicle and carry the bicycle, the skis, the snowboard, or the articles, the multi-purpose carrier including: a base support bar 10 disposed horizontally; one or two vertical supports 20; a horizontal support 30; an article mount 40; an angle fixing rod 50; an angle-fixing-rod support 55; two handle fixing rods 60; a bicycle frame fixing rod 70; clips 80; a stopper 90; and an article stand 92 which is structured to stop rotating by being caught by a horizontal rod of the stopper, in which a fixing strap is connected to the two clips 80 and other necessary portions, the fixing strap is fixed to the vehicle and securely tightened, a bicycle 100 is turned upside down, a bicycle frame 120 is fixed to the bicycle frame fixing rod 70, and two handles 110 of the bicycle are fixed to the two handle fixing rods 60, respectively, such that the bicycle is fixed to the vehicle, or the article is fixed to the article stand after the article stand 92 stands upright, such that the bicycle or the article may be carried by the vehicle.

A vertical bike stand contains: a base, a coupling column, a guide groove, and a positioning rack. The positioning rack includes a toothed section, and the support tube includes a channel. A holder is arranged on the support tube and is configured to close the channel and includes two prongs and a recess. A fixer is fitted on the support tube and is rotatably connected with a connector. The connector includes a shaft rotatably connected with the fixer, a press tab extending from an upper end of the connector, an operation portion extending outward from the press tab, an orientation segment extending into the guide groove from a lower end of the connector, and a paw extending from the orientation segment and configured to engage with the toothed section. The orientation segment is pushed by a first resilient element to fix in the fixer.

A vertical bike stand contains: a base, a coupling column, a guide groove, and a positioning rack. The positioning rack includes a toothed section, and the support tube includes a channel. A holder is arranged on the support tube and is configured to close the channel and includes two prongs and a recess. A fixer is fitted on the support tube and is rotatably connected with a connector. The connector includes a shaft rotatably connected with the fixer, a press tab extending from an upper end of the connector, an operation portion extending outward from the press tab, an orientation segment extending into the guide groove from a lower end of the connector, and a paw extending from the orientation segment and configured to engage with the toothed section. The orientation segment is pushed by a first resilient element to fix in the fixer.

The invention was designed to provide a solid, level hang bar utilizing the bicycle's seat post, seat post tube or frame itself which is level adjustable on the bicycle. The rake or angle of the seat post and seat post tube varies and the Bicycle Leveler is adjustable to allow a safe and level carry on a vehicle. The Bicycle Leveler is installed on the bicycle for safe transport and the Level Hang Bar is uniquely removable without tools for safe riding of the bicycle. No other design mounts solidly to the bicycle nor does it have removable level bar feature. The design represents a new methodology for safety in bicycle transport on traditional hang racks.

A rack for scooters is disclosed. The rack generally includes a base portion and a rack plate mounted to the base portion. The rack plate may include a top plate that is generally parallel to the ground and a front plate extending downward from the top plate. The top plate may include a plurality of slots, each of which is configured to receive a neck portion of a scooter. Each of the slots may be configured to support a scooter in an upright position when the scooter is placed therein. The slots may be tapered, allowing for scooters of varying designs to be supported therein. The rack plate may also include one or more apertures configured to receive a portion of a locking mechanism, such that the locking mechanism can be used to secure a scooter within a slot to prevent theft.