Abstract:
An apparatus for storing a spare tire is disclosed herein. The apparatus includes a hoisting device mountable to the underside of a vehicle. A tether is provided having a first portion and a second portion coupled to the hoisting device so that the first and second portions of the tether depend from the hosting device when it is mounted to the underside of a vehicle. A coupling member attached to the first portion of the tether permits an operator to attach the tether to the tire. A removable guard lays over at least part of the hub-facing wheel portion to cover one or more of the plurality of lug apertures such that the second portion of the tether cannot enter the plurality of lug apertures when the hosting device raises the spare tire.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    The present invention relates to the field of spare tires for motor vehicles generally and in particular to devices for stowing spare tires underneath a portion of a vehicle. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    Many vehicles include a spare wheel-mounted tire stored in a trunk or adjacent to an exterior portion. In some cases, the spare tire can be stowed near the underside of the vehicle. A hoisting device may be provided to assist in raising and lowering the spare tire to and from its stowage position. Such a hoisting device can include a winch that winds or unwinds a cable, chain, strap or other connecting member that is releasably coupled to the spare tire. Thus, in a stowage mode, an operator can couple the connecting member to the spare tire and actuate the hoisting device to lift the spare tire to the stowage position on or near the underside of the vehicle. In a removing mode, the operator can actuate the hoisting device to lower the spare tire to the ground, and can then decouple the connecting member from the tire so that the tire can be deployed on the vehicle. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0003]    Embodiments of an apparatus for storing a spare tire are disclosed herein. One embodiment is an apparatus for stowing a spare tire having a hub-facing wheel portion with a plurality of lug apertures. The apparatus includes a hoisting device mountable to the underside of a vehicle. A tether is provided having a first portion and a second portion coupled to the hoisting device so that the first and second portions of the tether depend from the hosting device when it is mounted to the underside of a vehicle. A coupling member is attached to the first portion of the tether and configured to releasably attach the tether to the hub-facing wheel portion of the spare tire when the spare tire is substantially horizontal. A removable guard id sized and configured to lay over at least part of the hub-facing wheel portion to at least partially cover at least one or more of the plurality of lug apertures such that the second portion of the tether cannot enter the at least one or more of the plurality of lug apertures when the hosting device raises the spare tire. 
         [0004]    In another embodiment, a spare tire stowage assembly is provided for use in a vehicle. The assembly includes a spare tire having a hub-facing wheel portion with a plurality of lug apertures. A hoisting device is provided that is mountable to the underside of the vehicle. A tether has a first portion and a second portion coupled to the hoisting device so that the first and second portions of the tether depend from the hosting device. A coupling member is attached to the first portion of the tether and configured to releasably attach the tether to the hub-facing wheel portion of the spare tire when the spare tire is substantially horizontal. A removable guard that is sized and configured to lay over at least part of the hub-facing wheel portion to at least partially cover the one or more of the plurality of lug apertures. 
         [0005]    In another embodiment, a method for stowing a spare tire having a hub-facing wheel portion with a plurality of lug apertures using a winch and tether that is mounted beneath a vehicle. The method includes the steps of providing a removable guard that is sized and configured to lay over at least part of the hub-facing wheel portion to at least partially cover at least one of the plurality of lug apertures, the removable guard including a central aperture. The first end of the tether is inserted through the central aperture of the removable guard. The first end of the tether is then coupled to the hub-facing wheel portion. The removable guard is placed over at least part of the hub-facing wheel portion. The spare tire is hoisted up into a stowage position using the winch. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0006]    The description herein makes reference to the accompanying drawings wherein like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout the several views, and wherein: 
           [0007]      FIG. 1  is a side elevation of a vehicle equipped with spare tire mounted to the underside of the vehicle. 
           [0008]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view of a portion of the vehicle of  FIG. 1  including the spare tire. 
           [0009]      FIG. 3  is a top plan view of the spare tire shown in  FIG. 1 . 
           [0010]      FIG. 4  is an enlarged, partial perspective view of the spare tire of  FIG. 1  and a hoisting device, including a winch and chain, that is used to lift the spare tire toward the underside of the vehicle. 
           [0011]      FIG. 5  is an enlarged sectional view of a portion of the spare tire shown in  FIG. 1  showing a portion of the chain of the hoisting device trapped in a lug aperture. 
           [0012]      FIG. 6  is a top plan view of a guard for use with the spare tire of  FIGS. 1-5 . 
           [0013]      FIG. 7  is a perspective view of the guard of  FIG. 6 . 
           [0014]      FIG. 8  is a perspective view of a spare tire assembly including the hoisting device and guard. 
           [0015]      FIG. 9  is perspective view of the spare tire assembly of  FIG. 8  including the spare tire. 
           [0016]      FIG. 10  is a sectional view of the spare tire assembly of  FIG. 9  taken along the lines  10 - 10 . 
           [0017]      FIG. 11  is a top plan view of a spare tire assembly in accordance with a second embodiment. 
           [0018]      FIG. 12  is a sectional view of the spare tire assembly of  FIG. 11  taken along the lines  12 - 12 . 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0019]    Embodiments of an apparatus for stowing a spare tire are described with respect to  FIGS. 1-12 . 
         [0020]      FIG. 1  is a side elevation of a vehicle  20  equipped with a spare tire  22  mounted to the underside of the vehicle. As depicted by the arrows of  FIG. 1 , spare tire  22  can be raised and lowered using a hoisting device into and out of its stowed position.  FIG. 2  is a perspective view of a portion of the underside of the vehicle  20  of  FIG. 1 , showing in more detail the configuration of the vehicle  20  and spare tire  22  when spare tire  22  is in its stowed position. Vehicle  20  includes frame elements  24  that define a recess  26 . Spare tire  22  is hoisted up into recess  26  so that it is tucked securely under the vehicle with adequate ground clearance when in its stowed position. 
         [0021]      FIG. 3  is a top plan view of the spare tire  22  shown in  FIG. 1 . Spare tire  22  includes an inflated tire portion  28  mounted to a wheel  30 . Wheel  30  includes a hub-facing central portion  32  configured to engage a wheel hub on the axle of vehicle  20  and plurality apertures, referred to generally as lug apertures  34 , that are sized and configured to receive wheel studs (not shown) projecting from the wheel hub. When spare tire  22  is mounted to vehicle  20  for operational use, central surface portion  32  will face toward the interior of vehicle  20  and will not be visible to persons looking at the exterior of vehicle  22 . Central portion  32  includes a central wheel aperture  36  that is sized and configured to receive a portion of the wheel hub. Central portion  36  can also receive a projection (not shown) mounted to vehicle frame  24  to help secure spare tire  22  when in its stowed position within recess  26 . As is conventional, lug apertures  34  are circumferentially arranged about central wheel aperture  36 . 
         [0022]      FIG. 4  is an enlarged, partial perspective view of the spare tire of  FIG. 1  and a hoisting device  38  including a winch  40  and a tether in the form of chain  42  that is used to lift spare tire  22  toward the underside of the vehicle  20 . One end  44  of chain  42  terminates at coupling member  46 . The other end of chain (not shown) is secured to hoisting device  38  or directly to frame  24 . Coupling member  46  is configured to releasably attach the chain  42  to the hub-facing wheel portion  32  of spare tire  22  when the spare tire  22  is substantially horizontal. For example, in this case coupling member  46  is an enlarged base that has a lateral dimension smaller than the diameter of central wheel aperture  36  and a longitudinal dimension that is larger than the diameter of central wheel aperture  36 . Coupling member  46  can be inserted longitudinally into central wheel aperture  36  and then reoriented so that its longitudinal extent is perpendicular to the axis of central wheel aperture  36 , thus preventing coupling member  46  from passing back through central wheel aperture  36 . 
         [0023]    Chain  42  is threaded through winch  40 . Winch  40  is fixed to vehicle  20  such as by frame  24  (not shown in  FIG. 4 ). Alternatively, winch  40  could be placed at another location of vehicle  20 , such as on the roof of an interior cargo area, to haul spare tire  22  up to a stowage area other than beneath vehicle  20 . Winch  40  includes a ratable element  48  mounted for rotation about its longitudinal axis. Ratable element  48  can be actuated either manually such as by use of a removable handle or crank or through a motor. When notable element  48  is rotated in a first direction, gears within winch  40  engage chain  42  to pull chain  42  toward the winch  38 , thus raising coupling member  46  and spare tire  22 . When ratable element  48  is rotated in a direction opposite to the first direction, cable  42  is paid out, thus lowering coupling member  46  and spare tire  22 . 
         [0024]    It should be noted that chain  42  can be replaced with other suitable tethers such as lines, cables or cords. Also hoisting device  38  is mountable to the underside of the vehicle in the sense that it is mounted to the vehicle so that chain  42  extends down below the vehicle to the ground. The term “underside” is not intended to be limited to any particular part of the frame or the chassis, nor does it mean that hoisting device be the lowest point on the vehicle. For example, hoisting device  38  could be mounted on or above the vehicle frame and extend chain  40  down below the vehicle toward the ground. Such a configuration, for example, would be understood herein as mounted to the underside of the vehicle. 
         [0025]    As chain  42  is pulled up by winch  40 , an intermediate portion  50  of chain  42  is paid out between the internal gearing of winch  40  and the end of chain fixed to hoisting device  38  or frame  24 . Intermediate portion  50  of chain  42  hangs loosely from beneath winch  40  and grows longer as spare tire  22  is hoisted upward. Eventually, as spare tire  22  rises and intermediate portion  50  grows, central portion  32  of spare tire  22  engages intermediate portion  50 , providing an opportunity for links such as links  52  of intermediate portion  50  to pass through one or more apertures  34 , as most clearly seen in  FIG. 5 . 
         [0026]      FIG. 5  is an enlarged sectional view of a portion of the spare tire shown in  FIG. 4 , taken along the lines  5 - 5 .  FIG. 5  shows the several links  52  of the intermediate portion  50  of chain  52  extending through one of apertures  34 . Links  52  can kink up beneath central portion  32 . Thereafter, if the spare tire  22  is required to be removed from its storage position, winch  40  will attempt to pay out  42  cable; however, links  52  will jam beneath one of apertures  34 , seizing the operation of hoisting device  38 . The driver in such circumstance may be unable to remove spare tire  22  from its stowage position underneath vehicle  20 . 
         [0027]    Referring to  FIG. 6 , top plan view of a guard  56  is shown for use with the spare tire  22  of  FIGS. 1-5 . As described below, guard  56  is intended to be placed over central portion  32  of wheel  30 . Guard  56  is generally circular in configuration defining a planar surface  58 . Guard  56  is made of a flat-laying pliable material such as rubber, plastic, coated paper or leather. Guard can be other shapes (such as rectilinear or ovular) and need not be planar or flat-laying but can have molded therein a contour to its surface. Guard  56  is between about seven and about twelve inches in diameter, although larger guards can be used to provide coverage of both the central portion  32  of wheel as well as inflatable tire portion  28 . 
         [0028]    In this case, guard  56  includes an outer generally ring-shaped portion  60  sized to fit over at least part of central portion  32  of wheel  30 , including lug apertures  36 . Ring portion  60  surrounds and defines a central aperture  62 . A plurality of slits such as slits  64  project radially from central aperture  62 , terminating in a small aperture such as aperture  66 . The slits  64  define therebetween movable flaps such as flaps  68 . Each of flaps  68  has a base such as base  70  and terminates in an arcuate distal end  72 . When the flaps  68  lay flat in coplanar relation to the to the planar surface  58 , their arcuate distal ends  72  define the circular central aperture  62  at between about one half inches and two inches in diameter. To avoid cluttering the drawings, reference numbers are shown only for representative flaps and slits. 
         [0029]      FIG. 7  is a perspective view of the guard of  FIG. 6 . As mentioned, guard  56  is pliable so that it can be flexed, causing flaps  68  to project outward and effectively increasing the size and shape of central aperture  62 . In effect, the bases  70  circumscribe a generally circular opening of about four inches in diameter whose circumference is indicated in  FIGS. 6 and 7  by a dotted line  74 . Thus, upon the movement of one or more of flaps  68  from their flat position ( FIG. 6 ) to a flexed or projecting position ( FIG. 7 ), the size of the central aperture  62  is effectively expanded up to four inches in diameter. As explained below, this expansion permits coupling member  46  to pass through central aperture  62 . 
         [0030]    Put another way, the largest extent of central aperture  62  is defined by the bases  70  of the flaps  68  (as indicated by dotted line  74  in  FIGS. 6 and 7 ). Flaps  68  are arranged about the circumference of the largest extent of central aperture  62 . Each flap  68  has a length such as length L (See  FIG. 6 ) that is less than the radius of the largest extent of central aperture  62  so that when flaps  68  lay flat relative to the outer portion  60  they obstruct in part central aperture  62 , making the effective size of central aperture  62  smaller (that is, the size of circle defined by the distal end actuate distal ends  72  of flaps  68 ). 
         [0031]    Other configurations of slits and flaps are possible. For example, an optional single slit (see dotted line  76  in  FIG. 6 ) can extend from central aperture  62  to the periphery  78  of guard  56 . This single slit would permit guard  56  to be placed around chain  42  even if central aperture  62  were too small to accommodate coupling member  46 . If it were used, it would be possible to omit the other slits  68 . Alternatively, in lieu of slits, guard  56  can be made of an elastic material to permit expansion of the diameter of central aperture  62  to accommodate passage of coupling member  46 . 
         [0032]      FIG. 8  is a perspective view of hoisting device  38  showing protective guard  56  installed thereon (without the spare tire). Central aperture  62  of guard  56  is expanded by flexing flaps  68 , permitting an operator to pass chain  42  and connecting member  46  through central aperture  62  of guard  56 . When guard  56  is in a flat configuration as shown in  FIG. 6 , central aperture  62  of guard  56  is too small to accommodate coupling member  46  but is of sufficient diameter to accommodate chain  42 , as shown in  FIG. 9 . 
         [0033]      FIG. 9  is a perspective view of a spare tire assembly including hoisting device  38 , protective guard  56  and the spare tire  22 .  FIG. 10  is a sectional view of the spare tire assembly of  FIG. 9 , taken along the lines  10 - 10 . As seen in  FIGS. 9 and 10 , guard  52  is laid flat on central portion  32  of wheel  30 . Chain  42  and coupling member  46  have been passed through central aperture  62  of guard  56  (see also  FIG. 8 ). Coupling member  46  has also been passed through central aperture  36  of wheel  30  and is now engaged with the underside of central portion  32  of wheel so that spare tire  22  will be lifted as hoisting device  38  pulls on chain  42 . With coupling member  46  and chain  44  in this configuration, guard  56  overlays lug apertures  34 . It will be seen most easily in  FIG. 10  that hoisting device  38  has pulled up tire  22  toward its stowage position in recess  26  of vehicle  20  ( FIG. 2 ). Consequently, intermediate portion  50  of chain  42  droops below hoisting device  38  and lays on top of guard  56 , which is interposed between intermediate portion  50  and lug apertures  34  ( FIGS. 9 and 10 ). Thus, intermediate portion  50  of chain  42  does not fall into apertures and jam the operation of hoisting device  38 . 
         [0034]      FIG. 11  is a top plan view of a spare tire assembly  80  in accordance with an alternative embodiment. A guard  82  is pliable and circular with a diameter of approximately nine inches and a generally ring-shaped outer portion  84 . Other sizes and shapes can be used for guard  82 . Guard  82  is made of plastic but can also be made of rubber, leather or coated paper and can if desired be rigid (especially since it is not necessary to dilate the central aperture of guard) Referring to  FIG. 11 , guard  82  is removably placed atop a central portion  86  of a spare tire  88 . In this configuration, the outer portion  84  of guard  82  overlays a plurality of lug apertures  90  that are sized and configured to received wheel studs. Guard  82  includes a central aperture  92  of a larger, fixed diameter in this case, four inches) to permit insertion of coupling member  44  therethrough. Guard  82  does not require slits or flaps such as the slits  64  and flaps  68  of guard  56  ( FIGS. 6 and 7 ). 
         [0035]    Because guard  82  has a central aperture  92  of a larger diameter, slippage of guard  82  over central portion  86  of spare tire  88  may position center aperture  92  over one of lug apertures  90 , thus exposing the lug aperture  90  to the chain of a hoisting device such as hoisting device  38 . To prevent this, guard  82  includes locator pins  94  projecting from the underside of outer portion  84 . Locator pins  94  are positioned and sized to align with one or more of lug apertures  90 , so that locator pins  94  are received by corresponding lug apertures  90  to retain guard  82  in affixed position relative to spare tire  86 . 
         [0036]      FIG. 12  is a sectional view of the tire assembly taken along the lines  12 - 12 . It will be seen that locator pins  92  project downward from the underside of guard  82  and are received by corresponding lug apertures  90 . 
         [0037]    Accordingly, while the invention has been described in connection with certain embodiments, it is to be understood that the invention is not to be limited to the disclosed embodiments but, on the contrary, is intended to cover various modifications and equivalent arrangements included within the scope of the appended claims, which scope is to be accorded the broadest interpretation so as to encompass all such modifications and equivalent structures as is permitted under the law.