Is a bike rack for car patented?

Short answer: specific designs of a bike rack for car have been patented many times, but "a bike rack for car" as a general idea is not what is protected. What matters is the exact combination of features in your version.

What our index shows

408 US and WO patent publications since 2000 have a title matching “bikebicycle rackcarrier” or a close variant (our index of 9.7 million patent families; one publication per family).
Among the 257 best keyword matches we examined, 95 were published in 2020 or later, and the earliest was published in 2000.
Most frequent assignees in those matches: THULE SWEDEN AB (14), YAKIMA PRODUCTS INC (13), FORD GLOBAL TECH LLC (10), HYUNDAI MOTOR CO LTD (9).
Most common patent classes (CPC subclasses): B60R (236), Y10S (38), B62H (37), B62J (11).

Counts come from keyword matching on titles and abstracts, so they are indicative, not a legal count. Some matches are different products that share a word.

14 real patent publications related to a bike rack for car

Base for Rear-Mounted Bicycle Rack, Ski Rack, Baggage Rack, Baggage Carrier for Motor Vehicle US-2025145086-A1 2025 · PERUZZO MARTINA
A base for a rear-mounted bicycle rack, ski rack, baggage rack, or baggage carrier for a motor vehicle includes: a portion for association with a tow hook of the motor vehicle; and a frame. The base includes means for a horizontal…
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Bike rack trailer for transporting bicycles or other cargo US-12084139-B2 2024 · JONES MATTHEW D
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 transpor…
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Car rear bike rack WO-2023048660-A1 2023 · YILDIRIM HAKAN
The subject of the invention relates to hitch-mounted bike rack with increased efficiency and safety that can be connected to hitch ball mount of the public transport vehicle or to the back part of the vehicles in order to carry m…
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Support structure for a carrier for mounting on a tow ball hitch of a vehicle, container, ski rack and bike rack that can be coupled to said structure US-2022144181-A1 2022 · GARAI ABRISKETA ENEKO
The invention relates to a support structure for a carrier and to a container, ski rack and bike rack that can each be coupled to the carrier support structure, which structure is provided for mounting on a tow ball of a vehicle a…
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Vehicle hitch mounted bicycle rack US-10752179-B2 2020 · YAKIMA PRODUCTS INC
A hitch mounted rack for carrying a bicycle is disclosed. The rack includes a tongue portion configured for attachment to a hitch receiver behind a vehicle, and a beam structure connected to the tongue portion. A bike mount is sec…
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Hitch-mounted bicycle carrier US-10668866-B2 2020 · KUAT INNOVATIONS LLC
The present disclosure includes hitch-mounted carriers, including portable bicycle racks. One carrier may include front tire tray assembly; hook arm assembly; pivot assembly; hitch shank ball cam assembly; rear tire tray assembly;…
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Convertible trailer hitch for bike rack, hammock and picnic table stand US-10035472-B1 2018 · TURNER JEFFREY W
A convertible system adapting a trailer hitch for use as a combination bicycle rack and hammock stand or picnic table stand includes a bicycle carrier rack designed for attachment to a standard vehicle. The bicycle carrier rack ca…
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Pivoting hitch-mountable bicycle carrier US-8602279-B2 2013 · SAUTTER CHRIS
A bicycle rack is configured for mounting to a hitch behind a vehicle. The bike rack may include a mast and a mechanism for locking the mast in an upright position, or alternatively, permitting downward rotation of the mast away f…
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Bicycle carrier rack US-8317068-B2 2012 · HUANG CHING-SHU
The bicycle carrier rack includes a main frame, a swaying frame and an adjustment device. The main frame stands vertically, combined with the swaying frame by the adjustment device. Fixed at the bottom portion of the main frame is…
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Article carrier and bicycle rack system US-2005082324-A1 2005
An angled vehicle article carrier and bicycle rack system for providing a unique, safe and secure method of attaching bicycles to vehicle article carrying systems for trucks and autos while also providing space efficiencies, secur…
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Vehicle article carrier and bicycle rack US-6398091-B1 2002 · JAC PRODUCTS INC
A vehicle article carrier specifically adapted for use with a pickup truck. The article carrier includes a pair of elongated roof rails adapted to be fixedly secured to an outer body surface of the vehicle. Each roof rail has a fi…
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Universal in-line skate carrier attachment for bicycle racks US-6382485-B1 2002
Each skate is strapped down upon a skate carrier, in turn mounted upon any pre-existing or conventional article carrying bicycle rack. Stop elements, along with the skate carrier strap, prevent escape of the skate from the carrier…
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Vehicle roof mounted bicycle carrier US-2002053581-A1 2002
A bicycle carrier which is detachably mounted to a roof rack of a motor vehicle. The carrier includes clamping assemblies which receive the cross members of the roof rack. The clamps include manipulable nuts for adjusting the clam…
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Vehicle hitch-mounted bicycle carrier US-2001035446-A1 2001
A vehicle hitch-mounted carrier for transporting a plurality of bicycles proximate the rear of the vehicle. The carrier includes a plurality of bike racks adapted to retain a bicycle in a vertical position for independent access t…
View on Google Patents

What this means for your idea

Because patents cover specific combinations of features, the useful question is not “has a bike rack for car been patented?” but “has my combination of features been described before?” Vehicle accessories and travel gear differ in how they attach, fold, lock or secure items.

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Guides that help with this

First-look landscape. Not exhaustive. Not legal advice. This page lists keyword-matched publications from a limited database; it does not say whether any product is or isn't covered by a patent, whether a patent is still in force, or whether your idea is patentable. Consult a registered patent attorney or agent.