Support system for a vehicle-mounted equipment carrier

This invention relates to an apparatus and method for supporting an article, such as a bicycle, on a vehicle-mounted carrier. A support assembly for supporting an article on a vehicle-mounted equipment carrier having an axially-extending mounting member generally includes a first support member, a second support member and a locking member, all of which define openings or passages within which the carrier mounting member is received. The first support member includes a hub section from which a pair of arms extend, and the arms include first and second support areas for engaging the article at a pair of spaced locations. The second support member includes a hub section which is engageable with the hub section of the first support member, and an arm extending therefrom and including a third support area. The locking member extends through the hub section of the second support member and is engageable with the hub section of the first support member, for selectively fixing the position of the second support member arm relative to the first support member arms, and for simultaneously securing the support assembly to the carrier-mounting member. The first support member includes a series of outwardly biased locking fingers which are engaged by the locking member as the locking member is moved into engagement with the hub section of the first support member, for urging the locking fingers into engagement with the carrier mounting member so as to secure the support assembly in position on the carrier mounting member. The first and second support members can be positioned in various configurations so as to enable the support assembly to support differently configured articles, such as bicycles having a variety of different frame styles.