Abstract:
A heavy duty leveraged spare tire carrier utilizes a cross frame configured so a spare tire for a vehicle can be bolted thereto and mounted on a receiver-type hitch with a secondary receiver hitch mounted thereon. The carrier has an integral lever-actuated lifting and lowering apparatus to allow a single person the ability to remove and replace a spare tire on the carrier and/or to swing the carrier and spare tire out of the way so an engine or other compartment in the rear of the vehicle can still be accessed.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims benefit of U.S. application Ser. No. 14/072,781 now U.S. Pat. No. 8,720,760, entitled HEAVY DUTY LEVERAGED SPARE TIRE CARRIER and filed on Nov. 5, 2013, which is specifically incorporated by reference herein for all that it discloses and teaches. 
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The present invention relates generally to the field of motor vehicles; more particularly, to large, recreational-vehicle-type motor vehicles; and more particularly still, to a heavy duty leveraged spare tire carrier that can be installed on a receiver hitch commonly found on recreational vehicles and is actuatable by a single person. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Motor vehicles have been in common usage for nearly a century. Shortly after the first, rather small, personal automobiles were rolling off assembly lines, larger trucks and related vehicles began to be produced in large numbers as well. Towable trailers equipped with living quarters soon followed, and it wasn&#39;t long before such trailers were placed on a truck chassis and the recreational vehicle (“RV”) or motorhome was born. Today, such vehicles can be exceedingly large, requiring huge, heavy tires (in comparison to a standard automobile tire). Such tires, especially when affixed to a wheel and ready to be installed on the motorhome in place of a flat tire (such wheel and tire assemblies are ubiquitously referred to as spare tires), can weigh in excess of one hundred pounds and are quite unwieldy and difficult to handle. Perhaps for these reasons, many motorhomes and other large RVs often do not carry a spare tire. Thus, if the driver of such a vehicle is unfortunate enough to experience a flat tire, his or her only option is to call for assistance. Because recreational vehicles are often used to recreate in far-flung locations, assistance can be a long distance away, difficult to procure, and often very expensive, if available at all. 
     Most small motor vehicles (such as cars and light trucks) carry a spare tire either in the trunk, under the chassis, or otherwise attached to the automobile so that, in the case of a flat tire, the operator can remove the flat, install the spare tire, and drive the vehicle to a repair station for further assistance. Because many motorhome owners are familiar with this state of affairs when operating their smaller automobiles, they lament the fact that such a spare tire assembly is too big and heavy to be commonly installed in recreational vehicles and are often completely unprepared to deal with a flat tire if such occurs while they are operating their RV. 
     Since many manufacturers of RVs do not include a spare tire or even a mounting location for an owner to carry an after-market spare tire with them, there is currently a need for an RV spare tire carrier. However, as noted above, spare tires for RVs are exceedingly heavy and unwieldy, so spare tire carriers, as currently known in the art, are not built heavy enough to handle such spares and can not just be welded onto an RV because a single person could be crushed trying to remove a spare tire therefrom. Instead, what is needed is a heavy duty leveraged spare tire carrier than can be easily installed onto almost all RVs, is strong enough to carry the weight and bulk of an RV spare tire, and yet is configured in such a way as to allow a single person to load and unload the spare tire from the carrier without risking life and limb in the process. 
     Additionally, owners of other large trucks/vehicles, off-road vehicles, and others often wish to carry a spare tire (or a second spare tire) as well and so a device that can also meet the needs of these people can have additionally utility. 
     SUMMARY 
     One embodiment of the present invention comprises a heavy duty, cross or T-shaped frame configured so a spare tire for an RV or other vehicle can be attached thereto and mounted on a common receiver-type hitch with a secondary receiver hitch mounted thereon, and having an integral lever-actuated lifting and lowering apparatus to allow a single person the ability to remove and replace a spare tire on the carrier and/or to swing the carrier and spare tire out of the way so an engine or other compartment in the rear of the vehicle can still be accessed. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The aforementioned and other features and objects of the present invention and the manner of attaining them will become more apparent and the invention itself will be best understood by reference to the following descriptions of a preferred embodiment and other embodiments taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein: 
         FIG. 1  illustrates a front elevation view of an exemplary embodiment of a heavy duty leveraged spare tire carrier with a spare tire attached; 
         FIG. 2  illustrates a rear elevation view of an exemplary embodiment of a heavy duty leveraged spare tire carrier with a spare tire attached; 
         FIG. 3  illustrates a bottom plan view of an exemplary embodiment of a heavy duty leveraged spare tire carrier with a spare tire attached; 
         FIG. 4  illustrates a top plan view of an exemplary embodiment of a heavy duty leveraged spare tire carrier with a spare tire attached; 
         FIG. 5  illustrates a left side elevation view of an exemplary embodiment of a heavy duty leveraged spare tire carrier with a spare tire attached; 
         FIG. 6  illustrates a front perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of a heavy duty leveraged spare tire carrier without a spare tire mounted thereon and placed in the upright, travelling position; 
         FIG. 7  illustrates a front perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of a heavy duty leveraged spare tire carrier without a spare tire mounted thereon and lowered into a horizontal, non-travelling position; and 
         FIG. 8  illustrates a front perspective view of another exemplary embodiment of a heavy duty leveraged spare tire carrier without a spare tire mounted thereon and placed in the upright, travelling position. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Referring now to the drawings,  FIG. 1  illustrates a front elevation view of an exemplary embodiment of a heavy duty leveraged spare tire carrier  100  with a spare tire  170  attached thereto. Note that in  FIG. 1 , the spare tire  170  includes both common components: the tire  171  already mounted onto the rim or wheel  172 . Throughout this document, whenever a reference is made to a spare tire  170 , it includes both a tire  171  and a wheel  172 , unless otherwise described. The carrier  100  shown in  FIG. 1  is mostly hidden behind the spare tire  170 ; reference to later drawing FIGS. is recommended. 
     The wheel  172  includes a plurality of mounting points  174  (often numbering ten on many RV wheels, as shown in  FIG. 1 , but other numbers are contemplated). In the embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 1 , there are two mounting bolts  177  and  179  illustrated utilizing two of the plurality of mounting points  174 . In other embodiments, the number of mounting bolts may be higher or lower than that shown in  FIG. 1 . The mounting bolts  177  and  179  serve to removably affix the spare tire  170  to the carrier  100 . By tightening down the fasteners on the mounting bolts  177  and  179  against the wheel rim  172 , the spare tire  170  is adjustably drawn tightly against the carrier  100 . A plurality of vibration reduction bumpers  176  and  178  engage the spare tire  170  as it presses towards the horizontal member  180 . In  FIG. 1 , only two vibration reduction bumpers  176  and  178  are illustrated and only a small portion of each is visible; see  FIG. 6 , items  676  and  678  for a more complete depiction thereof. In another embodiment, a plurality of vibration reduction bumpers  176  and  178  are disposed on the vertical member  190  and the mounting bolts  177  and  179  are disposed on the horizontal member  180  (see  FIG. 8  for an example). 
     The front hinge bracket  131  can be seen below the spare tire  170  in  FIG. 1 . The main body of the carrier  100  hinges on the hinge bolt  140  that runs through the front hinge bracket  131  and the rear hinge bracket (not shown in  FIG. 1 , see item  232  in  FIG. 2 ). In order to mount the carrier  100  onto a vehicle, a draw bar  120  is affixed to the carrier  100 . Because installation of a draw bar  120  into the receiver hitch opening on a vehicle blocks usage of said receiver hitch, a secondary receiver hitch  110  is installed on the carrier  100  itself to allow for use of other draw bars so that the vehicle can still tow trailers, etc., while the heavy duty leveraged spare tire carrier  100  is installed on the vehicle. Once the draw bar  120  is inserted into the receiver hitch on the vehicle, a hitch pin bolt (see  FIG. 2 , item  250 ) and ring pin (or other securing device) secure it therein. For additional security and/or strength, the hitch pin bolt can be threaded through the draw bar  120 , either fully or partially. 
       FIG. 2  illustrates a rear elevation view of an exemplary embodiment of a heavy duty leveraged spare tire carrier  200  with a spare tire  270  attached thereto. As in  FIG. 1 , the spare tire  270  includes both the tire  271  and the wheel  272  with the tire mounted thereon. Since  FIG. 2  is a rear view, the carrier  200  can be more clearly seen than in  FIG. 1 . 
     The wheel  272  includes a plurality of mounting points  274 . In the embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 2 , there are two mounting bolts  277  and  279  illustrated utilizing two of the plurality of mounting points  274 . The mounting bolts  277  and  279  serve to removably affix the spare tire  270  to the carrier  200 . The top mounting bolt  277  can be fixed in one location, and the bottom mounting bolt  279  can be slidably engaged in a first mounting slot  285  as illustrated in  FIG. 2 . This allows the bottom mounting bolt  279  to be repositionable upwards and downwards relative to the juncture. In other embodiments, the top mounting bolt  277  can be slidably engaged in a mounting slot and the bottom mounting bolt  279  can be fixed; alternatively, both or neither of said bolts  277  and  279  can be slidably engaged in a mounting slot. The first mounting slot  285  allows a mounting bolt  279  to be repositioned upwards and downwards in the vertical member  290  as needed to match up with the location of a bottom mounting point  274  on a spare tire  270 . This flexibility allows the carrier  200  to be used with a wide array of spare tires  270  having two or more spare tire mounting points  274 . In yet another embodiment, only one mounting bolt  277  or  279  is utilized and the other is replaced by an additional vibration reduction mount (see items  676  and  678  in  FIG. 6 ); such a configuration can accommodate mounting a spare tire using only one mounting point. 
     In the embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 2 , the mounting slot  285  allows the bottom mounting bolt  279  to be repositioned upwards or downwards as needed. The mounting bolt  279  is shown as being a stove bolt or carriage bolt with a rounded head. Such a bolt should have an initial square-shaped shank to engage the mounting slot  285  in order to keep the mounting bolt  279  from turning when the nut or other tightening device is tightened down opposite the head of the bolt. In other embodiments, other types of mounting bolts  279  are contemplated. 
     The front hinge bracket is not shown in  FIG. 2 , see  FIG. 1 , item  131 . The rear hinge bracket  232  is shown. Together, the two hinge brackets form a set of upright members affixed to the draw bar  220 . The draw bar  220  can be solid ˜2″ stock steal or any other suitably strong material sized to fit into a receiver hitch (1.25, 2, 2.5, and 3 inch receiver hitches are common, but others are contemplated). Vertical support members  222  and  224  are affixed to the draw bar  220 , the rear hinge bracket  232 , and the secondary receiver hitch  210 . These support members  222  and  224  strengthen the carrier  200  so that it can securely hold the spare tire  270  while withstanding the large forces exerted on the secondary receiver hitch  210  when a heavy load is attached to the vehicle via the carrier  200 . 
     The main body of the carrier  200  can hinge or swing downwards from the upright position shown in  FIG. 2  into a lowered position (see  FIG. 7 ) so that a person can access the rear of the vehicle and/or can remove the spare tire  270  from the carrier  200 . The hinge bolt  240  extends through the two upright hinge brackets  131  and  232 , as well as the vertical member  290  of the main body of the carrier  200 . A release pin  234  passes through at least one of the upright hinge brackets  131  and  232  and ensures that the vertical member  290  stays in an upright position until the release pin  234  is actuated, releasing the vertical member  290  from its position between the hinge brackets  131  and  232 . Once released, the vertical member  290  can hinge on the hinge bolt  240  and be swung down to either side of the carrier  200 . As illustrated in  FIG. 2 , the release pin  234  can have a release pin handle  233  that assists the user in actuating the release pin  234 . In one embodiment, at least a portion of the release pin  234  is threaded and it threads into one or more of the upright hinge brackets  131  and  232  and/or the vertical member  290 . A keeper pin or other securing device can then be inserted into the end of the release pin  234  to hold it in place on the far side of the upright hinge bracket  131 . See later FIGS. for more detail on the hinge mechanism, release pin  234 , etc. 
     The vertical member  290  can be manufactured from square steel tubing as shown in  FIG. 2 . In other embodiments, other metals or materials of sufficient strength can be utilized. In yet other embodiments, the vertical member  290  can be solid and it can have other cross-sectional shapes besides square. In  FIG. 2 , two of the mounting bolts  279  and  277  are attached to the vertical member  290 , in other embodiments, additional or fewer mounting bolts can be attached to the horizontal member  280 . The horizontal member  280  is attached to the vertical member  290  and generally extends perpendicular thereto, with approximately half of the horizontal member  280  extending to the left of the vertical member  290  and approximately half of the horizontal member  280  extending to the right. The two members  280  and  290  meet at the juncture of the cross. In other embodiments, a horizontal member  280  may be smaller or larger, may be positioned differently, or may be nonexistent. 
     The horizontal member  280  can be manufactured from square steel tubing as shown in  FIG. 2 , but like the vertical member  290 , in other embodiments, the horizontal member  280  can be manufactured from other metals or materials of sufficient strength and it can be solid and/or have a cross-sectional shape besides a square (for example, rectangular, round, oval, hexagonal, or other shapes of tubing or solid material can be employed). In order to enhance the strength of the horizontal and vertical members  280  and  290  and the connection therebetween at the juncture, a plurality of angle supports  282  can be attached at each corner of the joint between the members  280  and  290 . As shown in  FIG. 2 , the plurality of angle supports  282  can be triangular shaped metal pieces that are welded or otherwise connected to the horizontal member  280  and vertical member  290 . In other embodiments, the number of angle supports  282  can be one, two, three, four, or none. 
     In order to mount the carrier  200  onto the vehicle, a draw bar  220  is affixed to the carrier  200 . Because installation of a draw bar  220  into the receiver hitch opening on a vehicle blocks usage of said receiver hitch, a secondary receiver hitch  210  is affixed on the carrier  200  below the draw bar  220 . The secondary receiver hitch  210  allows for use of other draw bars so that the vehicle can still tow trailers, etc. while the heavy duty leveraged spare tire carrier  200  is installed on the vehicle. Once the draw bar  220  is inserted into the receiver hitch on the vehicle, a hitch pin bolt  250  and hitch pin ring pin  251  (or other securing device such as a nut, lock-nut, etc.) secures it therein. In another embodiment, a secondary receiver hitch  210  is not utilized. 
     An exemplary leverage handle  660  is not shown in  FIG. 2 , see  FIG. 6 . This implement can be installed in leverage attachment point  275  located near the top of the vertical member  290  when a person wishes to raise or lower the spare tire  270 . The leverage handle  660  can be threaded into the leverage attachment point  275 , can be simply slid into the leverage attachment point  275 , or some other attachment mechanism can be employed so that the leverage handle  660  can act on the vertical member  290 . Regardless of the means of attachment, the leverage handle  660  allows a single person to lower and raise the spare tire  270  by hinging the vertical member  290  on the hinge bolt  240 . Because the leverage handle  660  extends the distance between the hinge bolt  240  and the location at which a user exerts force against the vertical member  290 , significant leverage is gained; thereby allowing a single person to raise and lower a heavy spare tire  270  with ease. See later drawing FIGS. for additional descriptions of the leverage handle  660 , hitch pin bolt  250  and hinging mechanism. In another embodiment the leverage attachment point is attached to the horizontal member such that the leverage handle can be attached to the horizontal member and can act upon the horizontal member in order to raise or lower the spare tire. 
       FIG. 3  illustrates a bottom plan view of an exemplary embodiment of a heavy duty leveraged spare tire carrier  300  with a spare tire  370  attached thereto. The relative position of the tire  371  and the wheel  372  can be seen more clearly from this viewing angle. The body of the secondary receiver hitch  310  affixed to the bottom of the carrier  300  can be clearly seen in  FIG. 3 . Above it, the draw bar  320  extends perpendicular to the horizontal member  380  and the hitch pin bolt  350  can be seen extending through the draw bar  320 . 
     It should be apparent that when the draw bar  320  is inserted into the receiver hitch on a vehicle, the hitch pin bolt  350  would pass through the receiver hitch and through the draw bar  320 , securing the draw bar  320  inside the receiver hitch. In  FIG. 3 , the hitch pin bolt  350  is shown as a hexagonal headed bolt with a ring pin  351  running through it. The ring pin  351  (or other securing device such as a lock nut, cotter pin, etc.) is adapted to ensure that the bolt  350  can not inadvertently slide back through the draw bar  320 . In other embodiments, other types of hitch pin bolts  350  as known in the art can be employed (e.g., locking hitch pins, L handled pins, T handled pins, etc.). The bottom portions of the hinge brackets  331  and  332  can be seen in  FIG. 3 . See later FIGS. for more detail of the hinge brackets  331  and  332 . 
       FIG. 4  illustrates a top plan view of an exemplary embodiment of a heavy duty leveraged spare tire carrier  400  with a spare tire  470  attached. In this view, the leverage attachment point  475  can be seen extending from the top of the vertical member  490 . The top mounting bolt  477  can be seen, it extends through the vertical member  490  and attaches the wheel  472  to the member  490 . The angle supports  482  are visible running between the vertical member  490  and the horizontal member  480 . 
     Below the top mounting bolt  477 , the rear hinge bracket  432  can be seen as can the release pin  434 . The vertical support members  422  and  424  are illustrated. As discussed above, the vertical support members  422  and  424  attach to the vertical member  490 , the draw bar  420  and the secondary receiver hitch (not shown in  FIG. 4 , see  FIG. 3 , item  310 ). An exemplary hitch pin bolt  450  is also illustrated. 
       FIG. 5  illustrates a left side elevation view of an exemplary embodiment of a heavy duty leveraged spare tire carrier  500  with a spare tire  570  (including tire  571  and wheel  572 ) attached. When viewed from the side, the placement of the vertical member  590  between the front hinge plate  531  and the rear hinge plate  532  can be clearly seen. 
     To release the vertical member  590  and allow it to swing down, the release pin  534  must be actuated. To accomplish this, first the securing pin (see  FIG. 6 , keeper pin  635 ) must be removed. In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 5 , the release pin handle  533  can then be grasped and used to turn the release pin out of the vertical member  590 . Once free, the vertical member  590  can then hinge on the hinge bolt  540 , causing the spare tire  570  to swing downwards from its upright position. In one embodiment, the release pin  534  is threaded so it can be screwed into or out of the assembly in order to secure or release the vertical member  590  from the front and rear hinge plates  531  and  532 . In other embodiments, the release pin  534  can be secured in other ways (such as a locking cam, a bearing lock, etc.). 
     The positions of the horizontal member  580  and angle supports  582  relative to the vertical member  590  are illustrated in  FIG. 5  as are the mounting bolts  577  and  579 . The leverage attachment point  575  is illustrated near the top of the vertical member  590   
     The side view of  FIG. 5  provides a clear presentation of the vertical support member  524  and it should be obvious that the vertical support member  524  connects to all of the rear hinge plate  532 , the draw bar  520 , and the secondary receiver hitch  510 , thereby enhancing the structural integrity and strength of the assembly. In other embodiments, the vertical support members can be larger, smaller, or nonexistent in lighter applications.  FIG. 5  also shows the front and rear hinge brackets  531  and  532  attaching to both the draw bar  520  and the secondary receiver hitch  510 , providing additional strength and support such that a trailer can be connected to the secondary receiver hitch  510  and be fully supported by the carrier  500 . 
     The secondary receiver hitch  510  is illustrated in  FIG. 5  with a first hitch pin hole  512 , a second hitch pin hole  511 , and a receiver hitch opening  514 , useful features in a receiver hitch assembly. In order to use this assembly, a second draw bar would be inserted into the mouth of the receiver hitch opening  514  and a hitch pin would then be inserted through one of the hitch pin holes  511  or  512  and through the second draw bar, securing the second draw bar within the secondary receiver hitch  510 . For additional strength and/or safety, both hitch pin holes could have hitch pins therethrough. 
       FIG. 6  illustrates a front perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of a heavy duty leveraged spare tire carrier  600  without a spare tire mounted thereon and placed in the upright, travelling position. With the removal of the spare tire from the carrier  600 , most of the components can be seen more clearly. 
     In the embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 6 , there are two mounting bolts  677  and  679  that can be used to attach the wheel of the spare tire to the carrier  600 . In other embodiments, the number of mounting bolts  677  and  679  can vary from the two shown in  FIG. 6 . The mounting bolts are attached to the vertical member  690 . This distributes the weight of the spare tire across the member, ensuring that the carrier  600  can securely hold the large and unwieldy weight of spare tire assembly. The perspective view of  FIG. 6  clearly illustrates the relative positions of the vertical member  690  and the horizontal member  680  as well as the angle supports  682  that enhance the strength of the connections therebetween. If the angle supports  682  are not needed in other embodiments, the carrier  600  can be constructed without them. Similarly, the horizontal member  678  could be deemed superfluous in some applications and left off. 
     Near the top of the vertical member  690  is the leverage attachment point  675  to which the leverage handle  660  attaches. The leverage handle  660  is illustrated in  FIG. 6  as having a grip  661  to ensure that a user has a secure means of gripping the leverage handle  660  when using it to lower or raise the carrier  600 ; in other embodiments, no grip  661  is present. The leverage handle  660  is configured to removably attach to a leverage attachment point  675  on the carrier, the leverage attachment point  675  is configured to accept removable attachment of the leverage handle thereto, and the leverage handle  660  is adapted to decrease the force required to raise or lower the spare tire between its lowered position (as illustrated in  FIG. 7 ) and its vertical stored position (see  FIG. 6 ). 
     The front hinge bracket  631  and rear hinge bracket  632  are shown in  FIG. 6 . Together, the two hinge brackets form a set of upright members affixed to the draw bar  620  and the secondary receiver hitch  610 . Vertical support members  422  (not visible in  FIG. 6 , see item  422  in  FIG. 4) and 624  are affixed to the draw bar  620 , the rear hinge bracket  632 , and the secondary receiver hitch  610 . These support members  422  and  624  strengthen the carrier  600  so that it can securely hold the spare tire while withstanding the large forces exerted on the secondary receiver hitch  610  when a heavy load is attached to the vehicle via the carrier  600 . 
     The main body of the carrier  600  can hinge or swing downwards from the upright position shown in  FIG. 6  into a lowered position (see  FIG. 7 ) so that a person can access the rear of the vehicle and/or can remove the spare tire from the carrier  600 . A flat tire from the vehicle can then be placed on the carrier  600  or the spare tire can be replaced thereon. The hinge bolt  640  extends through the two upright hinge brackets  631  and  632 , as well as the vertical member  690  of the main body of the carrier  600 . A release pin  634  is attached to at least one of the upright hinge brackets  631  and  632  (in the embodiment shown in  FIG. 6 , the release pin  634  is shown as penetrating completely through both brackets) and ensures that the vertical member  690  stays in an upright position until the release pin  634  is actuated, thereby releasing the vertical member  690  from its vertical position between the hinge brackets  631  and  632 . Once released, the vertical member  690  can hinge on the hinge bolt  640  and be swung down to either side of the carrier  600 . In order to actuate the release pin  634  a security pin  635  must first be removed from the distal end of the release pin  634 . In other embodiments, other types of release pins  634  are contemplated (for example, a spring actuated release pin  634  could be employed wherein the spring keeps the pin  634  snuggly seated through the rear hinge bracket  632  and into contact with the vertical member  690  until the release pin  634  is pulled sharply away from the rear hinge bracket  632 , drawing the release pin  634  out of contact with the vertical member  690  so the vertical member  690  can swing down. When the release pin  634  is released, the spring brings the release pin  634  back through the rear hinge bracket  632  and into engagement with the vertical member  690  (assuming it was swung back up and into position), securing it in its upright position. 
     The vertical member  690  can be manufactured from square steel tubing as shown in  FIG. 6 . In other embodiments, other metals or materials of sufficient strength can be utilized. In yet other embodiments, the vertical member  690  can be solid and it can have other cross-sectional shapes besides square. In  FIG. 6 , two of the mounting bolts  679  and  677  are attached to the vertical member  690 . Nuts with nylon inserts can lock-onto the mounting bolts  677  and  679  in order to secure the rim of the spare tire to the carrier  600 . This is accomplished by placing one or more washers (which can include protective nylon washers) onto the mounting bolts after they extend through the vertical member  690 , followed by the rim, and then place one or more additional washers over each bolt followed by a securing nut, lock-nut, or other similar device that screws down tight onto the bolt assembly and secures the spare tire onto the mounting bolts  677  and  679 . 
     In the embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 6 , there are two mounting bolts  677  and  679  that can engage two of the plurality of mounting points on a spare tire (see  FIG. 2 , mounting points  274 , for example). The mounting bolts  677  and  679  serve to removably affix a spare tire to the carrier  600 . The top mounting bolt  677  can be fixed in one location, and the bottom mounting bolt  679  can be slidably engaged in a second mounting slot  691  (similar to the first mounting slot  285  shown in  FIG. 2 ). In other embodiments, the top mounting bolt  677  can be slidably engaged in a mounting slot and the bottom mounting bolt  679  can be fixed; alternatively, both or neither of said bolts  677  and  679  can be slidably engaged in a mounting slot. The second mounting slot  691  allows a mounting bolt  679  to be positioned up and down in the vertical member  690  as needed to match up with the location of a bottom mounting point on a spare tire. This flexibility allows the carrier  600  to be used with a wide array of spare tires having two or more spare tire mounting points. 
     The horizontal member  680  is attached to the vertical member  690  and generally extends perpendicular thereto, with approximately half of the horizontal member  680  extending to the left of the vertical member  690  and approximately half of the horizontal member  680  extending to the right. The horizontal member  680  can be manufactured from square steel tubing as shown in  FIG. 6 , but like the vertical member  690 , in other embodiments, the horizontal member  680  can be manufactured from other metals or materials of sufficient strength and it can be solid and/or have a cross-sectional shape besides a square (for example, rectangular, round, oval, hexagonal, or other shapes of tubing or solid material can be employed). 
     A plurality of vibration reduction bumpers  676  and  678  can be mounted on the carrier  600 . The bumpers  676  and  678  can be formed from flexible material(s) that serve to hold the spare tire securely in place once it has been tightened down onto the carrier  600 . For example, the bumpers  676  and  678  can be formed from a somewhat stiff rubber material and can be positioned such that they press against the rim of the spare tire as it is tightened down onto the mounting bolts  677  and  679 . Further tightening then causes the bumpers to compress and deform, and thus, securely hold the spare tire in place via a friction fit. Any road vibration traveling through the vehicle, to which the carrier  600  is mounted, can be absorbed by the plurality of vibration reduction bumpers  676  and  678 , thereby helping to keep the spare tire mounted firmly in place. 
     In order to enhance the strength of the horizontal and vertical members  680  and  690  and the connection therebetween, a plurality of angle supports  682  can be attached at each corner of the joint between the members  680  and  690 . As shown in  FIG. 6 , the plurality of angle supports  682  can be triangular shaped metal pieces that are welded or otherwise connected to the horizontal member  680  and vertical member  690 . In other embodiments, the number of angle supports  682  can be none, one, two, three, four, or more. 
     In order to mount the carrier  600  onto a vehicle, a draw bar  620  is affixed to the carrier  600 . Because installation of a draw bar  620  into the receiver hitch opening on a vehicle blocks usage of said receiver hitch, a secondary receiver hitch  610  is affixed on the carrier  600  below the draw bar  620 . The secondary receiver hitch  610  allows for use of other draw bars so that the vehicle can still tow trailers, etc. while the heavy duty leveraged spare tire carrier  600  is installed on the vehicle. Once the draw bar  620  is inserted into the receiver hitch on the vehicle, a hitch pin bolt  650  and nut (or other securing device) secures it therein. 
     An exemplary leverage handle  660  is shown in  FIG. 6 . This implement is installed in leverage attachment point  675  located near the top of the vertical member  690  when a person wishes to raise or lower the spare tire  670 . The leverage handle  660  can be threaded into the leverage attachment point  675 , can be simply slid into (or over) the leverage attachment point  675 , or some other attachment mechanism can be employed so that the leverage handle  660  can act on the vertical member  690 . Regardless of the means of attachment, the leverage handle  660  allows a single person to lower and raise the spare tire  670  by hinging the vertical member  690  on the hinge bolt  640 . Because the leverage handle  660  extends the distance between the hinge bolt  640  and the location at which a user exerts force against the vertical member  690 , significant leverage is gained; thereby allowing a single person to raise and lower the extremely heavy spare tire  670  with ease. 
     In the embodiment in  FIG. 6 , the leverage handle  660  appears to have an outer perimeter that is circular-shaped; in other embodiments, the leverage handle  660  can have an outer perimeter that is shaped like a square, triangle, oval, or any other shape. The leverage attachment point  675  should be shaped to match so that the leverage handle  660  can be inserted therein or otherwise attached thereto; for example, it could be placed over the leverage attachment point  675 . 
     The secondary receiver hitch  610  is illustrated in  FIG. 6  with a hitch pin hole  612  and a receiver hitch opening  614 , important features in a receiver hitch assembly. In order to use this assembly, a second draw bar would be inserted into the mouth of the receiver hitch opening  614  and a hitch pin would then be inserted through the hitch pin hole  612  and through the second draw bar, securing the second draw bar within the secondary receiver hitch  610 . 
       FIG. 7  illustrates a front perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of a heavy duty leveraged spare tire carrier  700  without a spare tire mounted thereon and lowered into a horizontal, non-travelling position. The leverage handle  760  is shown in its active position, attached to the vertical member  790 . By grasping the grip  761 , a user can take advantage of the leverage gaining benefits of moving the point of application of force further out from the fulcrum (here, the fulcrum is the hinge bolt  740 ). The amount of force required to raise or lower the spare tire is much reduced when that force is applied to the grip  761  of the leverage handle  760  versus if it was applied directly to the vertical member  790  itself. 
     The front and rear hinge brackets  731  and  732  are illustrated in  FIG. 7  with the release pin removed, allowing the vertical member  790  to swing downwards on the hinge bolt  740 . Note that the carrier  700  is designed such that the vertical member  790  can swing either left or right in the embodiment shown in  FIG. 7 . In other embodiments, it may be useful to limit the direction of swing to one or the other. Also shown in  FIG. 7  is the juncture  799  of the vertical member  790  and the horizontal member  780 . 
     Depending on the height of the vehicle&#39;s receiver hitch, once the vertical member  790  is swung downwards, a spare tire attached to the vertical member  790  will now be resting on the ground. The spare can then be detached from the carrier  700  and rolled away without the user having to lift and/or wrangle the large and weighty tire. The vehicle&#39;s flat tire can then be rolled to the carrier, attached thereto, and the vertical member  790  and flat tire can then be swung back up and into place using the leverage handle  760 . 
       FIG. 8  illustrates a front perspective view of another exemplary embodiment of a heavy duty leveraged spare tire carrier  800  without a spare tire mounted thereon and placed in the upright, travelling position. With the removal of the spare tire from the carrier  800 , most of the components can be seen more clearly. 
     In the embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 8 , there are two mounting bolts  877  and  879  on the horizontal member  880  that can be used to attach the wheel of the spare tire to the carrier  800 . In other embodiments, the number of mounting bolts  877  and  879  can vary from the two shown in  FIG. 8 . The mounting bolts are attached to the horizontal member  880 . This distributes the weight of the spare tire across the member, ensuring that the carrier  800  can securely hold the large and unwieldy weight of spare tire assembly. The perspective view of  FIG. 8  clearly illustrates the relative positions of the vertical member  890  and the horizontal member  880  as well as the angle supports  882  that enhance the strength of the connections therebetween. If the angle supports  882  are not needed in other embodiments, the carrier  800  can be constructed without them. Similarly, the horizontal member  878  could be deemed superfluous in some applications and left off. 
     Mounted on the horizontal member  880  is the leverage attachment point  875  to which the leverage handle  860  attaches. This is one of many possible alternative mounting locations versus that shown in the embodiment of  FIG. 6 . The leverage handle  860  is illustrated in  FIG. 8  as having a grip  861  to ensure that a user has a secure means of gripping the leverage handle  860  when using it to lower or raise the carrier  800 ; in other embodiments, no grip  861  is present. The leverage handle  860  is configured to removably attach to a leverage attachment point  875  on the carrier, the leverage attachment point  875  is configured to accept removable attachment of the leverage handle thereto, and the leverage handle  860  is adapted to decrease the force required to raise or lower the spare tire between its lowered position (as illustrated in  FIG. 7 ) and its vertical stored position shown here. 
     The front hinge bracket  831  and rear hinge bracket  832  are shown in  FIG. 8 . Together, the two hinge brackets form a set of upright members affixed to the draw bar  820  and the secondary receiver hitch  810 . Vertical support members  422  (not visible in  FIG. 8 , see item  422  in  FIG. 4) and 824  are affixed to the draw bar  820 , the rear hinge bracket  832 , and the secondary receiver hitch  810 . These support members  422  and  824  strengthen the carrier  800  so that it can securely hold the spare tire while withstanding the large forces exerted on the secondary receiver hitch  810  when a heavy load is attached to the vehicle via the carrier  800 . 
     The main body of the carrier  800  can hinge or swing downwards from the upright position shown in  FIG. 8  into a lowered position (see  FIG. 7 ) so that a person can access the rear of the vehicle and/or can remove the spare tire from the carrier  800 . A flat tire from the vehicle can then be placed on the carrier  800  or the spare tire can be replaced thereon. The hinge bolt  840  extends through the two upright hinge brackets  831  and  832 , as well as the vertical member  890  of the main body of the carrier  800 . A release pin  834  is attached to at least one of the upright hinge brackets  831  and  832  (in the embodiment shown in  FIG. 8 , the release pin  834  is shown as penetrating completely through both brackets) and ensures that the vertical member  890  stays in an upright position until the release pin  834  is actuated, thereby releasing the vertical member  890  from its vertical position between the hinge brackets  831  and  832 . Once released, the vertical member  890  can hinge on the hinge bolt  840  and be swung down to either side of the carrier  800 . In order to actuate the release pin  834  a security pin  835  must first be removed from the distal end of the release pin  834 . In other embodiments, other types of release pins  834  are contemplated (for example, a spring actuated release pin  834  could be employed wherein the spring keeps the pin  834  snuggly seated through the rear hinge bracket  832  and into contact with the vertical member  890  until the release pin  834  is pulled sharply away from the rear hinge bracket  832 , drawing the release pin  834  out of contact with the vertical member  890  so the vertical member  890  can swing down. When the release pin  834  is released, the spring brings the release pin  834  back through the rear hinge bracket  832  and into engagement with the vertical member  890  (assuming it was swung back up and into position), securing it in its upright position. 
     The vertical member  890  can be manufactured from square steel tubing as shown in  FIG. 8 . In other embodiments, other metals or materials of sufficient strength can be utilized. In yet other embodiments, the vertical member  890  can be solid and it can have other cross-sectional shapes besides square. 
     The horizontal member  880  is attached to the vertical member  890  and generally extends perpendicular thereto, with approximately half of the horizontal member  880  extending to the left of the vertical member  890  and approximately half of the horizontal member  880  extending to the right. The horizontal member  880  can be manufactured from square steel tubing as shown in  FIG. 8 , but like the vertical member  890 , in other embodiments, the horizontal member  880  can be manufactured from other metals or materials of sufficient strength and it can be solid and/or have a cross-sectional shape besides a square (for example, rectangular, round, oval, hexagonal, or other shapes of tubing or solid material can be employed). 
     In  FIG. 8 , two of the mounting bolts  879  and  877  are attached to the horizontal member  880 . Nuts with nylon inserts can lock-onto the mounting bolts  877  and  879  in order to secure the rim of the spare tire to the carrier  800 . This is accomplished by placing one or more washers (which can include protective nylon washers) onto the mounting bolts after they extend through the horizontal member  880 , followed by the rim, and then place one or more additional washers over each bolt followed by a securing nut, lock-nut, or other similar device that screws down tight onto the bolt assembly and secures the spare tire onto the mounting bolts  877  and  879 . 
     In the embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 8 , there are two mounting bolts  877  and  879  that can engage two of the plurality of mounting points on a spare tire (see  FIG. 2 , mounting points  274 , for example). The mounting bolts  877  and  879  serve to removably affix a spare tire to the carrier  800 . The left mounting bolt  877  can be fixed in one location, or either or both can be slidably engaged in mounting slots  891  (similar to the first mounting slot  285  shown in  FIG. 2 ). In other embodiments, the left mounting bolt  877  can be slidably engaged in a mounting slot and the right mounting bolt  879  can be fixed; alternatively, both or neither of said bolts  877  and  879  can be slidably engaged in a mounting slot. The second mounting slots  891  allow a mounting bolt  877  or  879  to be positioned left and right horizontally in the horizontal member  880  as needed to match up with the location of mounting points on a spare tire. This flexibility allows the carrier  800  to be used with a wide array of spare tires having two or more spare tire mounting points. 
     A plurality of vibration reduction bumpers  876  and  878  can be mounted on the carrier  800 . The bumpers  876  and  878  can be formed from flexible material(s) that serve to hold the spare tire securely in place once it has been tightened down onto the carrier  800 . For example, the bumpers  876  and  878  can be formed from a somewhat stiff rubber material and can be positioned such that they press against the rim of the spare tire as it is tightened down onto the mounting bolts  877  and  879 . Further tightening then causes the bumpers to compress and deform, and thus, securely hold the spare tire in place via a friction fit. Any road vibration traveling through the vehicle, to which the carrier  800  is mounted, can be absorbed by the plurality of vibration reduction bumpers  876  and  878 , thereby helping to keep the spare tire mounted firmly in place. As illustrated in  FIG. 8 , the plurality of vibration reduction bumpers  876  and  878  can be mounted on the vertical member  890 . In another embodiment (for example, see  FIG. 6 ), they can be mounted on the horizontal member  880 . In yet other embodiments, one or more can be mounted on each of the horizontal and vertical members  880  and  890 . 
     In order to enhance the strength of the horizontal and vertical members  880  and  890  and the connection therebetween, a plurality of angle supports  882  can be attached at each corner of the juncture between the members  880  and  890 . As shown in  FIG. 8 , the plurality of angle supports  882  can be triangular shaped metal pieces that are welded or otherwise connected to the horizontal member  880  and vertical member  890 . In other embodiments, the number of angle supports  882  can be none, one, two, three, four, or more. 
     In order to mount the carrier  800  onto a vehicle, a draw bar  820  is affixed to the carrier  800 . Because installation of a draw bar  820  into the receiver hitch opening on a vehicle blocks usage of said receiver hitch, a secondary receiver hitch  810  is affixed on the carrier  800  below the draw bar  820 . The secondary receiver hitch  810  allows for use of other draw bars so that the vehicle can still tow trailers, etc. while the heavy duty leveraged spare tire carrier  800  is installed on the vehicle. Once the draw bar  820  is inserted into the receiver hitch on the vehicle, a hitch pin bolt  850  and nut (or other securing device) secures it therein. 
     An exemplary leverage handle  860  is shown in  FIG. 8 . This implement is installed in leverage attachment point  875  when a person wishes to raise or lower the spare tire  870 . The leverage handle  860  can be threaded into the leverage attachment point  875 , can be simply slid into (or over) the leverage attachment point  875 , or some other attachment mechanism can be employed so that the leverage handle  860  can act on the horizontal member  880 . Regardless of the means of attachment, the leverage handle  860  allows a single person to lower and raise the spare tire  870  by hinging the vertical member  890  on the hinge bolt  840 . Because the leverage handle  860  extends the distance between the hinge bolt  840  and the location at which a user exerts force against the spare tire, significant leverage is gained; thereby allowing a single person to raise and lower the extremely heavy spare tire  870  with ease. 
     In the embodiment in  FIG. 8 , the leverage handle  860  appears to have an outer perimeter that is circular-shaped; in other embodiments, the leverage handle  860  can have an outer perimeter that is shaped like a square, triangle, oval, or any other shape. The leverage attachment point  875  should be shaped to match so that the leverage handle  860  can be inserted therein or otherwise attached thereto; for example, it could be placed over the leverage attachment point  875 . 
     The secondary receiver hitch  810  is illustrated in  FIG. 8  with a hitch pin hole  812  and a receiver hitch opening  814 , important features in a receiver hitch assembly. In order to use this assembly, a second draw bar would be inserted into the mouth of the receiver hitch opening  814  and a hitch pin would then be inserted through the hitch pin hole  812  and through the second draw bar, securing the second draw bar within the secondary receiver hitch  810 . 
     While particular embodiments of the invention have been described and disclosed in the present application, it should be understood that any number of permutations, modifications, or embodiments may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of this invention. Accordingly, it is not the intention of this application to limit this invention in any way except as by the appended claims. 
     Particular terminology used when describing certain features or aspects of the invention should not be taken to imply that the terminology is being redefined herein to be restricted to any specific characteristics, features, or aspects of the invention with which that terminology is associated. In general, the terms used in the following claims should not be construed to limit the invention to the specific embodiments disclosed in the specification, unless the above “Detailed Description” section explicitly defines such terms. Accordingly, the actual scope of the invention encompasses not only the disclosed embodiments, but also all equivalent ways of practicing or implementing the invention. 
     The above detailed description of the embodiments of the invention is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise embodiment or form disclosed herein or to the particular field of usage mentioned in this disclosure. While specific embodiments of, and examples for, the invention are described above for illustrative purposes, various equivalent modifications are possible within the scope of the invention, as those skilled in the relevant art will recognize. Also, the teachings of the invention provided herein can be applied to other systems, not necessarily the system described above. The elements and acts of the various embodiments described above can be combined to provide further embodiments. 
     In light of the above “Detailed Description,” the Inventor may make changes to the invention. While the detailed description outlines possible embodiments of the invention and discloses the best mode contemplated, no matter how detailed the above appears in text, the invention may be practiced in a myriad of ways. Thus, implementation details may vary considerably while still being encompassed by the spirit of the invention as disclosed by the inventor. As discussed herein, specific terminology used when describing certain features or aspects of the invention should not be taken to imply that the terminology is being redefined herein to be restricted to any specific characteristics, features, or aspects of the invention with which that terminology is associated. 
     While certain aspects of the invention are presented below in certain claim forms, the inventor contemplates the various aspects of the invention in any number of claim forms. Accordingly, the inventor reserves the right to add additional claims after filing the application to pursue such additional claim forms for other aspects of the invention. 
     The above specification, examples and data provide a description of the structure and use of exemplary implementations of the described articles of manufacture and methods. It is important to note that many implementations can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.