Tire carrier assembly

The tire carrier assembly of the present invention is mounted to the frame of a vehicle by removing the existing D-rings and placing the mounting brackets for the tire carrier over the apertures where the existing D-rings were mounted. The existing D-rings are then placed over the tire carrier mounting brackets and the entire assembly is mounted or coupled to the vehicle, using the original mounting apertures for the D-rings.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Technical Field

The present invention relates generally to vehicles and more particularly to an assembly adapted to fasten a spare tire to an off-road vehicle or sport utility vehicle (SUV).

2. Background Art

Spare tires are almost always provided as standard equipment with most vehicles. In most passenger vehicles, the spare tire is located in the trunk or cargo compartment. Since most of these vehicles are utilized mainly for the movement of passengers, the trunk space is often under-utilized and the positioning of a spare tire in the trunk rarely occupies needed space. However, the situation with respect to light trucks, sport-utility and recreational vehicles, is much different. Due to the nature of these vehicles, interior storage space is often highly valued and an interior positioned spare tire would result in the undesirable reduction of precious cargo space. As a result, externally mounted spare tire carriers are often useful options for such vehicles.

One type of external tire carrier enables a spare tire to be mounted below or underneath the vehicle. However, this approach has proven relatively problematic for a number of reasons. Specifically, a tire mounted below the vehicle tends to reduce the vehicle's practical road clearance. This reduction in clearance may prevent the vehicle from entering into rough areas that require that the vehicle maintain a certain ground clearance. This is especially problematic for off-road vehicles where the primary function is carrying passengers and cargo to remote or relatively inaccessible areas over unpaved access roads. Also, a tire carrier mounted beneath the vehicle may occupy space otherwise available for a secondary fuel tank.

A second and more popular type of spare tire carrier is secured to the rear of vehicles, either by attachment to the rear body panel of the vehicle or, in the alternative, by attachment to the bumper and secured to the vehicle through a body mounted latch. However, these tire carriers may also present certain concerns. For example, those tire carriers supported exclusively by the body panel of the vehicle tend to vibrate significantly whenever the vehicle is in motion. In some circumstances, the combined forces exerted on the body panel as a result of the carrier weight and vibration may cause damage to the body panel. The tire carriers supported primarily through connection with the bumper and a body mounted latch, while less vibratory while the vehicle is in motion, tend to place a significant amount of stress on the body mounted latch as a result of the inherent instability of the bumper attachment of the carrier. Further, mounting the tire carrier on the bumper typically requires significant and irreversible modification of the bumper.

Another consideration with many conventional externally mounted spare tire carriers is that they are not well suited for vehicles with a rear door that opens upwardly or outwardly. With these types of vehicles, attaching the spare tire carrier to the rear door or in front of the rear door of the vehicle would effectively prevent the lift door from opening and, therefore, would reduce or prohibit access to the rear of the vehicle. Additionally, many conventional rear-mounted spare tire carriers are located so as to practically obscure the license plate of the vehicle in an undesirable fashion. Finally, while some spare tires are configured to be mounted on top of the cab of the vehicle, this solution may also present certain difficulties. For example, some people may have difficulty maneuvering the spare tire onto and off of the roof without help or without inadvertently damaging the roof.

Accordingly, without an improved externally mounted tire carrier assembly that provides for secure mounting and easy access to the spare tire, carrying a spare tire and/or replacing a flat tire on an SUV will continue to be sub-optimal.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The tire carrier assembly of the present invention is mounted to a vehicle by removing the existing D-rings and placing the mounting brackets for the tire carrier over the vehicle mounting apertures where the existing D-rings were mounted. The existing D-rings are then placed over the tire carrier mounting brackets and the entire assembly is fastened to the vehicle, using the vehicle mounting apertures and mounting bolts originally supplied by the vehicle manufacturer for installing the D-rings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Many SUVs and off-road vehicles are presently equipped with manufacturer installed “D-rings” or tow rings that are mounted on the exterior of the vehicle. These D-rings are typically supplied so that the vehicle may be quickly coupled to an external load such as a trailer, boat, another vehicle and the like. Accordingly, the SUV or off-road vehicle may be quickly configured to tow the external load. In most cases, these D-rings are directly or indirectly coupled to the frame of the vehicle, providing stability and strength for the D-rings. The D-rings may be coupled to the frame of the vehicle using various techniques such welding or threaded bolt assembly. The present invention is especially well suited for adaptation and use with vehicles that employ a threaded bolt assembly to securely couple the D-rings to the frame of the vehicle.

Referring now toFIG. 1, a tire carrier assembly100in accordance with a preferred exemplary embodiment of the present invention includes a hinge bracket110, a latch bracket120, a swing arm assembly130; and an optional license plate bracket135. Swing arm assembly130comprises a tire mounting portion140, a coupling portion150, and a pin portion160. In the most preferred embodiments of the present invention, license plate bracket135further comprises a T-pin155for securing swing arm assembly130in place within latch bracket120.

As shown inFIG. 1, hinge bracket110and latch bracket120are configured to be mounted to a vehicle (not shown this FIG.) by utilizing a plurality of mounting bolts121. D-rings125are most preferably manufacture supplied towing rings. Hinge bracket110and latch bracket120are positioned between D-rings125and the body of the vehicle. By inserting mounting bolts121through apertures in the brackets for D-rings125and then through apertures formed in hinge bracket110and latch bracket120, hinge bracket110and latch bracket120may be secured to the frame of the vehicle, beneath D-rings125. In this fashion, drilling extra apertures in body of the vehicle can be avoided.

Swing arm assembly130is configured to be mounted to hinge bracket110by inserting pin portion160into hinge bracket110. Swing arm assembly130is also configured to be selectively coupled to latch bracket120. Latch bracket120is configured to receive coupling portion150of swing arm assembly130and may be securely held in place by inserting T-pin155through apertures in latch bracket120after pin portion150has been moved within the body of latch bracket120. After tire carrier assembly has been coupled to a vehicle in this fashion, a tire170may be mounted on tire mounting portion140of swing arm assembly130by utilizing a plurality of nuts171.

While the various components of tire carrier assembly100may be manufactured from a variety of materials, in the most preferred embodiments of the present invention, hinge bracket110, latch bracket120, and swing arm assembly130are each manufactured from a hardened steel and covered with a powder-coated finish to protect the various components of tire carrier assembly100. Additionally, the most preferred embodiments of the present invention incorporate machined-out portions on the various components such as hinge bracket110and latch bracket120that are especially useful for reducing the weight of hinge bracket110and latch bracket120.

While D-rings125, hinge bracket110, and latch bracket120are shown inFIG. 1as discrete components, certain preferred embodiments of the present invention may include a latch bracket110with an integrated D-ring125. Similarly, in certain preferred embodiments of the present invention, hinge bracket110may also include an integrated D-ring125. In at least one preferred embodiment of the present invention, tire carrier assembly100is provided as an after-market accessory for off-road vehicles and sport utility vehicles. In yet another preferred embodiment of the present invention, tire carrier assembly100is a manufacturer or dealer installed option.

In addition to providing an improved tire carrier assembly, the methods of the present invention provide an improved method for mounting tire carrier assembly100to the exterior of a vehicle such as an SUV. Specifically, by utilizing the existing manufacturer-provided mounting apertures for the manufacturer-supplied D-rings to mount tire carrier assembly100, tire carrier assembly100can be quickly and securely coupled to the frame of the vehicle. This also allows tire carrier assembly100to be installed without any undesirable or permanent modification of the body or frame of the vehicle. Accordingly, the various preferred embodiments of tire carrier assembly100can be easily removed and the vehicle can be restored to its original condition by simply removing mounting bolts121and removing the components of tire carrier assembly100and then reinstalling mounting bolts121.

To install tire carrier assembly100to a vehicle, mounting bolts121, most preferably provided by the manufacturer to couple D-rings125to the frame of the vehicle, are removed. Then, hinge bracket110and latch bracket120are positioned over the existing manufacturer provided mounting apertures for D-rings125. Next, the D-rings125are positioned over hinge bracket110and latch bracket120, taking care to align the mounting apertures in the D-rings125with the mounting apertures in hinge bracket110and latch bracket120. In turn, the mounting apertures in hinge bracket110and latch bracket120are aligned with the existing manufacturer provided mounting apertures for D-rings125. If desired, license plate bracket135is also positioned between latch bracket120and the body of the vehicle, aligning the mounting apertures in license plate bracket135with the mounting apertures in latch bracket120. Obviously, if a given vehicle does not have manufacture installed D-rings125and the corresponding mounting apertures, they may be installed as part of the overall process of installing tire carrier assembly100.

After aligning all of the mounting apertures, mounting bolts121can be inserted through the mounting apertures and tightened in place, thereby simultaneously securing license plate bracket135, hinge bracket110, latch bracket120, and D-rings125to the frame of the vehicle. After securing hinge bracket110and latch bracket120in place, swing arm assembly130can be coupled to hinge bracket110by inserting pin portion160into hinge bracket120and securing coupling portion150with latch bracket120as described in conjunction withFIGS. 2-4.

Referring now toFIG. 2, a latch bracket120in accordance with a preferred exemplary embodiment of the present invention comprises a pin-receiving body205, a pair of receiving apertures210, and a pair of mounting apertures215. As previously explained, mounting bolts121are used to secure latch bracket120to a vehicle. Pin-receiving body205is configured to receive pin portion150of swing arm assembly130(not shown this FIG.). After receiving pin portion150of swing arm assembly130, T-pin155is removably inserted through apertures210, thereby securing swing arm assembly130to latch bracket120and, by extension, to the vehicle frame. Mounting apertures215are each configured to receive a mounting bolt121(not shown this FIG.).

In certain preferred embodiments of the present invention, pin-receiving body205further comprises a cushion206that is positioned and configured to prevent pin portion150of swing arm assembly130from directly striking pin-receiving body205. Cushion206is most preferably manufactured from a durable resilient material such as plastic. In the most preferred embodiments of the present invention, latch bracket120is configured to accept a padlock or other locking mechanism, thereby securing swing arm assembly130in place and preventing any undesired access to the interior of the vehicle through the rear door of the vehicle.

Referring now toFIG. 3, a hinge bracket110in accordance with a preferred exemplary embodiment of the present invention includes a sleeve portion310that is configured to receive pin portion160of swing arm assembly130. The most preferred embodiments of the present invention also comprises a rubber insert320and a bronze insert330. Additionally, hinge bracket110is most preferably configured with a freeze plug340and a grease plug350. Bronze insert330is most preferably a machine bushing manufactured from a660bronze alloy and is provided to enhance the rotational movement of pin portion160within sleeve portion310as swing arm assembly130is rotated into position.

Freeze plug340is most preferably a selectively removable thin-walled disc that can be removed, if necessary, to allow access to the bottom of sleeve portion310. This may be desirable in situation where swing arm assembly130is “stuck” in place. Grease plug350is configured to receive a lubricating material such as grease to enhance the rotational movement of pin portion160within sleeve portion310as swing arm assembly130is rotated into position. In the most preferred embodiments of the present invention, grease plug350is a standard “zerk-type” grease fitting, typically found in automotive applications.

Referring now toFIG. 4, an optional license plate bracket135in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention includes a T-pin155coupled to clip410of license plate bracket135by a lanyard415. Alternatively, T-pin155may be directly coupled to license plate bracket135without using a clip410. Lanyard415is long enough to allow T-pin155to be inserted into latch bracket120and prevents T-pin155from being inadvertently lost or misplaced. Lanyard415may be fabricated from many different materials but is most preferably flexible and resilient in nature. License plate bracket135is most preferably configured to receive and support a standard-sized vehicle license plate440. Apertures421and422are each configured to receive a mounting bolt12l (not shown this FIG.), thereby securing license plate bracket135to a vehicle (not shown this FIG.). As previously mentioned, T-pin155is configured to be removably inserted into a pair of apertures in latch bracket120(not shown this FIG.), thereby securing swing arm assembly130in place.

T-Pin155is configured with an internal spring-loaded mechanism that securely holds T-pin155in place when inserted into latch bracket120. When button156is depressed, latching portions157are retracted into the body of T-pin155, thereby allowing T-pin155to be inserted into or removed from latch bracket120. When T-pin155is inserted into latch bracket120and button156is released, latching portions157extend outwardly from the body of T-pin155, thereby securing T-pin155in place within latch bracket120. This prevents T-pin155from being jarred loose during the movement of the vehicle.

In the various preferred embodiments of the present invention, a light430is coupled to license plate bracket135. Light430is configured and located so as to provide illumination for license plate440. Light430may be any type of illumination device suitable for providing the desired level of illumination. In the most preferred embodiments of the present invention, light430utilizes a standard automotive light bulb, similar to those used in conventional applications for illuminating a vehicle license plate. Light430may be powered by any conventional means known to those skilled in the art including batteries and/or standard electrical wiring. By providing license plate bracket135, license plate440may be relocated, if necessary, to a location where license plate440will not be obscured by tire carrier assembly100. While the most preferred embodiments of the present invention comprise a license plate bracket135, other embodiments will not include a license plate bracket135.

Referring now toFIG. 5, a swing arm assembly130in accordance with a preferred exemplary embodiment of the present invention includes a tire-mounting portion140. Mounting portion140comprises a mounting plate430with a plurality of mounting bolts440. Mounting portion140also includes a plurality of threaded mounting nuts171. Mounting bolts440are most preferably threaded bolts securely coupled to mounting plate430and are used to couple the wheel of the spare tire to mounting plate430. Mounting bolts440may be welded to mounting plate430or affixed using ally other suitable attachment method known to those skilled in the art. In an alternative preferred exemplary embodiment of the present invention, mounting bolts440are an integral part of mounting plate430and are formed from a unitary piece of hardened steel. Mounting nuts171are most preferably internally threaded nuts and are removably fastened to mounting bolts440, thereby securing a spare tire wheel (not shown this FIG.) to mounting plate430. In an alternative embodiment of the present invention, mounting bolts440are not threaded and mounting nuts171are held in place by selectively releasable compression or spring-loaded fittings.

In the most preferred embodiments of the present invention, mounting bolts440and threaded mounting nuts171are sized and threaded to match the standard lug bolts and lug nuts for a typical vehicle. This makes it possible to interchange the regular lug nuts and mounting nuts171. Additionally, any necessary replacement of lost or missing threaded mounting nuts171will be simpler. This feature also allows the same lug wrench to be used to remove the regular lug nuts and threaded mounting nuts171.

When swing arm assembly130is coupled to latch bracket120with selectively removable T-pin155, swing arm assembly130is fixed in position. When T-pin155is removed from latch bracket120, swing arm assembly130is free to pivot in a substantially horizontal fashion, with hinge bracket110acting as a hinge or pivot point. In this manner, swing arm assembly130can swing away from the vehicle and access to the rear door of the vehicle is thereby provided. In the most preferred embodiments of the present invention, latch bracket120and150comprise a latch mechanism for allowing for the displacement of swing arm assembly130between a closed position whereby swing arm assembly130is adjacent to a rear door and an open position whereby swing arm assembly130extends laterally away from the vehicle.

From the foregoing description, it should be appreciated that apparatus and methods for a mounted tire carrier assembly are provided and presents significant benefits that would be apparent to one skilled in the art. Furthermore, while multiple embodiments have been presented in the foregoing description, it should be appreciated that a vast number of variations in the embodiments exist. Lastly, it should be appreciated that these embodiments are preferred exemplary embodiments only, and are not intended to limit the scope, applicability, or configuration of the invention in any way. Rather, the foregoing detailed description provides those skilled in the art with a convenient road map for implementing a preferred exemplary embodiment of the invention. It being understood that various changes may be made in the function and arrangement of elements described in the exemplary preferred embodiment without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the appended claims.