Patent ID: 7882993
Filing Date: 2011-02-08
Classification: B62D

Abstract:
1. A spare tire tuned mass damper assembly configured for attachment between a pair of underbody support members of a vehicle having a driver interface, the assembly comprising: a tire carrier having a mounting plate and a pair of lateral support frames; a spare tire mounted to a wheel; and a spring and damper assembly mounted between the tire carrier and the underbody support members, the spring and damper assembly including a leaf spring having a pair of cylindrical ends each connectable to a respective one of the pair of underbody support members; wherein the tire carrier is directly connected to the leaf spring at the pair of lateral support frames and is supported from below by the leaf spring, the tire carrier supporting the spare tire and the wheel from above via the mounting plate, and wherein the spring and damper assembly is sufficiently configured to absorb and damp vibration of the support members and of the vehicle.