Patent ID: 8777070

Claim:
A spare tire carrier comprising: a mounting assembly to connect to a motor vehicle, the mounting assembly having a first end dimensioned to be received within a hitch receiver and a second end dimensioned to receive a towing hitch for towing a vehicle; a support assembly for holding a tire; and a hinged bracket mounting the support assembly to the mounting assembly, the hinged bracket having a first position to carry the tire in an upright position and pivoting laterally to a second position that does not interfere with the towing hitch; wherein the support assembly further comprises a first support member and a second support member, the first support member being mounted to the mounting assembly at a first position, the second support member mounted to the mounting assembly at a second position, the first support member and the second support member being at a spaced relationship for receiving the tire therebetween; wherein the support assembly further comprises an attachment bracket configured to be releasably coupled to the first support member and the second support member such that the attachment bracket is proximate a portion of the tire, whereby the attachment bracket constricts the spaced relationship between the first support member and the second support member to secure the tire therebetween; wherein the support assembly further comprises a support strap releaseably connected to the attachment bracket and extending around the tire to further secure the tire to the spare tire carrier.