Abstract:
A generally cylindrical shaped unitary body container is adapted to hold a spare vehicle tire. The container is compatible with a vehicle cable retraction system and has at least one aperture through which a horizontal member at the cable terminus supports the container. The vehicle spare tire container has ribs for structural support, fluid tight seals, a protruding handle, and locking mechanisms. The container creates a safer design for spare tire changing, as well as eliminating the need for suspending the tire from the tire rim, hence using fewer components and a more economical design.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to a vehicle storage container, and more particularly to a spare tire container for undercarriage storage of a vehicle tire on a vehicle. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     A wheel is a pneumatic tire mounted to a rim, the entire assembly referred to generally as tire hereinafter. The placement and mechanism for storage of spare tires has evolved through time based upon the vehicle type and areas available for storage. Larger vehicles, such as pick up trucks or sport utility vehicles, have encountered difficulty in storing spare tires due to the lack of a trunk compartment. In other vehicles with trunks, the spare tire has been stored within the compartment in a reservoir, protecting it both from the elements and the threat of theft. One of the more conventional methods of storing the spare tire on larger vehicles has been attached to the undercarriage beneath the vehicle chassis. 
     Inclement weather conditions can cause corrosion of the spare tire components, making it extremely difficult to remove the nuts, bolts, and other components holding the tire in place. The process of changing the spare tire can be dirty, time consuming, tedious, and ultimately dangerous for the vehicle operator. Various ideas have been implemented to encase the tire to prevent it from being exposed to weather conditions. All of these systems have suspended the spare tire through the tire rim, and attached the rim to the car body through either a cable or fixed mount. The spare tire is then encased by a cover that is either attached directly to the vehicle or attached to a plate that is mounted on the chassis. The known spare tire covers generally include a significant number of components and seals around the tire enclosure, enhancing the opportunity for moisture penetration. 
     By way of example, a U.S. Pat. No. 5,669,534 to Edgerley, discloses an undercarriage mounting for a spare tire. The spare tire is hoisted in position by a conventional lifting mechanism involving a lug at the end of the cable. The supporting framework is mounted to the vehicle body. A threaded stud projects downwardly from the lug to extend through an aperture in the bottom surface of a cup-shaped housing. A threaded nut tightens the housing against a panel mounted on the framework on the underside of the vehicle body, thereby, the spare tire is protected from the elements. The perceived drawbacks of this design are that it requires the operator to lie beneath the vehicle in order to release the spare tire cover to remove the multiple independent components. 
     A U.S. Pat. No. 5,823,413 to Seltz, also discloses an undercarriage container for a spare tire. The container is adapted to be fastened to an underside of a vehicle such that the planar member is adjacent to the underside of the vehicle. A seal is adapted to be positioned between the substantially planar member and the underside of the vehicle. The planar member contains an aperture for the protruding vertical member extending from the vehicle underside. The tire is mounted to the vehicle underside by attaching bolts beneath the underside of the rim to the vertical member. This supports the tire in position. A cover is attached by placing it over the tire and fastening two elastic straps. A drawback to this design is that it also requires the operator to be submerged beneath the vehicle creating a dangerous situation. The operator must remove the fastening straps, and then remove additional bolted components to finally release the spare tire. 
     Therefore, the need exists for a spare tire storage design that reduces the number of components to be unfastened for releasing the tire. This could be achieved by eliminating the need to mount the tire through the rim. Also, a decrease in the number of components is more economical for the manufacturer. The fewer seals and components generally that are in the spare tire holder, the less likely it is that moisture will infiltrate the seal and cause rusting and corrosion. 
     Also, a material that is lighter and more durable, while still providing protection from vandalism, is desirable for the underslung spare tire storage system. This would decrease the weight of the vehicle, increase the ease of handling the system in tire changing situations (due to lower friction and lighter weight) and possibly decrease manufacturing costs depending on the method of manufacture. An invention is needed to solve the aforementioned issues with the current spare tire designs available. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     Accordingly, the present invention provides a storage container selectively attachable to a vehicle via a retractable suspension mechanism. The storage container comprises a thermoplastic unitary body including first and second portions integrally hinged to one another, wherein said first and second portions are foldable for defining an interstitial space. The storage container also includes at least one aperture disposed through said unitary body for operably interconnecting the storage container to the retractable suspension mechanism. 
     Further areas of applicability of the present invention will become apparent from the detailed description provided hereinafter. It should be understood that the detailed description and specific examples, while indicating the preferred embodiment of the invention, are intended for purposes of illustration only and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The present invention will become more fully understood from the detailed description and the accompanying drawings, wherein: 
     FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a first embodiment of a vehicle tire container of the present invention mounted to the undercarriage of a vehicle; 
     FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the first embodiment of a vehicle tire container dismounted from the vehicle cable suspension system; 
     FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the first embodiment of a vehicle tire container opened and dismounted from the vehicle cable suspension system with the spare tire stored within; 
     FIG. 4 is a cross sectional view along line  4 - 4 ′ in FIG. 2 of the first embodiment of a vehicle tire container in closed position mounted on a cable suspension system; 
     FIG. 5 is a cross sectional view along line  5 - 5 ′ in FIG. 2 showing the vehicle tire container snap fastening lock mechanism; 
     FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a second embodiment of a vehicle tire container mounted to the undercarriage of the vehicle; 
     FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the vehicle tire container of FIG. 7 dismounted from the vehicle undercarriage; 
     FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the second embodiment of the vehicle tire container opened and dismounted from the vehicle undercarriage with the spare tire stored within; 
     FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the second embodiment of the vehicle tire container opened and dismounted from the vehicle undercarriage without the spare tire stored within, showing safety device storage; 
     FIG. 10 is a cross sectional view along line  10 - 10 ′ in FIG. 7, showing the second embodiment of the vehicle tire container in closed position; 
     FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a third embodiment of a vehicle tire container slightly opened and dismounted from the vehicle undercarriage with the spare tire removed; and 
     FIG. 12 is a cross sectional view along line  12 - 12 ′ in FIG. 11, showing the third embodiment of the vehicle tire container in a closed position. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     The following descriptions of the preferred embodiments are merely exemplary in nature and are in no way intended to limit the invention, its application, or uses. Further, certain terminology is used in the following detailed description for convenience only and is not intended to be limiting. For example, the words “forward”, “upper”, and “lower” are intended to designate direction or orientation shown in the drawings to which reference is being made. 
     A first preferred embodiment of the present invention is depicted in FIGS. 1-4. The vehicle tire container  16  generally includes a substantially cylindrical thermoplastic unitary body consisting of first and second portions  18 , 20  created in a single step process. When folded, the first and second portions  18 , 20  form an interstitial cavity  22  for storage of a vehicle spare tire  24 . The first and second portions  18 , 20  are integrally connected to one another and fold upon a one-way hinge  26 , enabling the opening and closing of the vehicle tire container  16 . The vehicle tire container  16  also preferably includes a forward protruding handle  21  that is integrally connected to both the first and second portions  18 ,  20 . 
     The vehicle tire container  16  also includes an aperture  28  disposed through the first portion  18  through which a cable  30  of a vehicle cable retraction system  31  is interconnected. The cable  30  terminates in a horizontal member  32  that remains within the interstitial cavity  22 . The retractable cable suspension system  31  originates in undercarriage  34  of a vehicle  36 , and is raised into the vehicle  36  during normal operating conditions. When the cable  30  is retracted into the vehicle undercarriage  34 , the horizontal member  32  disposed at the terminus of the cable  30  supports the vehicle tire container  16  adjacent to the vehicle undercarriage  34 . 
     The aperture  28  is preferably located in a central area of the vehicle storage container  16 . The aperture  28  sits at the lowest end of a truncated conical shaped depression  38 , which follows the contours of the tire stored internally  72 . The second portion  20  also includes a well  21  that protrudes towards the interstitial cavity  22 , preventing unnecessary movement within the container  16 . A surface of at least one of the first and second  18 , 20  portions also preferably contain a plurality of spaced apart and raised ribs  40  extending along the unitary body providing increased structural strength and shock absorption. In addition to providing structural strength and shock absorbing characteristics, the raised ribs, which are generally in contact with the substrate, allow for reduced drag when pulling the container along the substrate. 
     Upon closing the vehicle tire container  16 , edges of the first and second portions  18 ,  20  form a peripheral seal  68  by an interlocking mating joint  70 . The joint  68  has a ridge  74  that extends around the edge of the perimeter of the second portion  20 . This ridge  74  effectively serves as a shelf protruding from the surface of the edge of the second portion  20 . The first portion  18  has a groove  76  extending along the perimeter of the edge of the first portion  18 , which effectively serves as a contrapositive reservoir for receiving the shelf from the second portion  20 . This prevents infiltration of the elements into the interstitial cavity  22 . Where the two edges of the first and second  18 , 20  portions converge, they form a lip  68  which includes locking mechanisms  82 , 84 . These locking mechanisms which may be selected from various known locking mechanisms, preferably latching locks,  86 , as shown in FIG. 5 which releasably hold the first and second portions  18 ,  20  together. While not specifically shown, the vehicle tire may also include apertures for the insertion of a padlock or may include an integral key or tumbler type lock for securing the container in a closed position. 
     An alternate second preferred embodiment of a vehicle tire container of the present invention is depicted in FIGS. 6-10. The alternate vehicle tire container  42  which also has a cylindrical unitary thermoplastic body consisting of first and second portions  48 , 50  created in a single step process. The first portion  48  is divided into dual panels  44 , 46  that form a split top configuration. When the panels  44 , 46  are closed against the second portion  50  they form an interstitial cavity  52  for storage of a vehicle spare tire  24 . The dual panels  44 , 46  are integrally connected to the second portion  50  at substantially opposite ends and each folds along a one-way hinge  54 , 56 , enabling container access. 
     The vehicle tire container  42  also contains an aperture  58  disposed through the first portion  48  where a cable  30  from the vehicle cable retraction system  31  is interconnected in the same fashion as the preferred embodiment. The cable  30  terminates in a horizontal member  32  that remains within the interstitial cavity  52 . The retractable cable suspension  31  system originates in the undercarriage  34  of the vehicle  36 , and is raised into the vehicle  36  during normal operating conditions. When the cable  30  is retracted into the vehicle underside  34 , the horizontal member  32  disposed at the terminus of the cable  30  supports the vehicle tire container  42  adjacent to the vehicle undercarriage  34 . 
     The aperture  58  is located in a central area of the vehicle storage container  42 . The aperture  58  sits at the lowest end of a truncated conical shaped depression  60 , which follows the contours of the tire  24  stored internally. This prevents unnecessary movement within the container. The surface of at least the second portion  50  includes longitudinal ribs  62  extending along the unitary body for increased structural strength and shock absorption. 
     The vehicle tire container  42  has a forward protruding handle  66  that is integrally connected to the second portion  50 . Upon closing the vehicle tire container  42 , the dual panels  44 , 46  of the first portion  48  form a seal  91  when closed in an overlap position. The joint has a ridge  92  that extends along the edge of the perimeter of the lower panel portion  46  that faces the interstitial cavity  52 . This ridge  92  effectively serves as a shelf protruding from the surface of the edge. The upper panel portion  44  has a groove  90  extending along an edge of the upper portion facing in towards the interstitial cavity  52 , which effectively serves as a contrapositive reservoir for receiving the shelf from the mating panel  46 . Edges of the first and second portions  48 , 50  also form a peripheral seal  94  by an interlocking mating joint. This joint functions the same way as the sealed joint between the dual panels. A ridge  98  extends around an edge of the perimeter of the second portion  50 . This ridge  98  also effectively serves as a shelf protruding from the surface of the edge of the second portion  50 . The first portion  48  has a groove  96  extending along the perimeter of an edge of the first portion  48 , which effectively serves as a contrapositive reservoir for receiving the shelf from the second portion  50 . This prevents infiltration of the elements into the interstitial cavity  52  both by sealing the seams between the dual panels  44 , 46  and between the first and second  48 , 50  portions. Along the edge of the sealed edges are locking mechanisms  100 , 102 . 
     An alternate third preferred embodiment of a vehicle tire container of the present invention is depicted in FIGS. 11 and 12. The alternate vehicle tire container  108  has a cylindrical unitary thermoplastic body consisting of first and second portions  110 ,  112  created in a single step process. The first portion  110  forms a cylindrical shape following the contours of a tire  24 . The second portion  112  is a substantially planar section, which preferably contains a inwardly protruding well  113 . When the first portion  110  is closed against the second portion  112  they form an interstitial cavity  114  for storage of a vehicle spare tire  24 . The first and second portions  110 ,  112  are integrally connected to one another and fold upon a one-way hinge  116 , enabling the opening and closing of the vehicle tire container  108 . The third embodiment operates in a substantially similar manner to the first and second embodiments, which includes a preferably centrally located aperture  118  through the first portion  110 . The aperture  118  sits at the lowest end of a truncated conical shaped depression  117 , to prevent movement of the tire  24  within. The aperture  118  receives the cable  30  which connects it to the vehicle suspension system  31 . The third embodiment also includes ribs  120 , a handle  122 , a sealing joint  124 , and locks  126  that operate in a similar manner to the first and second embodiments described above. 
     The three preferred embodiments can be constructed by numerous thermoplastic manufacturing methods, including blow molding, vacuum forming, or injection molding. Under a blow molding fabrication process a heated plastic hollow tube, generally known in the art as a parison, into a mold. The mold is a hollow cavity that is generally divided into two segments. The parison is forced into the shape of the mold by the use of air pressure. Thus, the plastic assumes the shape of the spare tire container mold. The vehicle latches can be attached to the spare tire container after the formation process. 
     In an alternate thermoplastic manufacturing method of vacuum forming, a sheet of plastic is clamped down onto a stationary frame. Heat and negative pressure are applied, and the plastic is drawn down onto the surface of the mold. The latches can be placed inside the mold prior to the introduction of the vacuum and heat conditions. The spare tire container with latches is integrally formed by this process. 
     Another method of thermoplastic manufacturing is injection molding. A plastic is heated and softened, where it is forced into a relatively cool mold. The mold is a closed container, where the internal pressure within the cavity forces the plastic into the conformation of the mold. The plastic is allowed to cool, where it is set into the shape of the spare tire container, and then released from the mold. The latches can be affixed to the spare tire container after the fabrication process. Any of these methods or equivalents known to one skilled in the art may be employed to fabricate the spare tire container(s) of the present invention. 
     The foregoing description of the invention is merely preferred in nature and, thus, variations that do not depart from the gist of the invention are intended to be within the scope of the invention. Such variations are not to be regarded as a departure from the spirit and scope of the invention.