Patent ID: 8919621

Claim:
A spare tire assembly for a vehicle, comprising: an under mount frame connected to a vehicle; a cover operably connected to said under mount frame; a spare tire supported by said cover; an actuator connected to said under mount frame; a support member operable with said actuator for securing said cover to said under mount frame; a lower aperture formed as part of said cover; an aperture formed as a rim, said rim being part of said spare tire; an upper aperture formed as part of said under mount frame; wherein at least a portion of said support member extends through said lower aperture, said aperture, and said upper aperture when said cover is attached to said under mount frame; a post member operable for extending through said lower aperture, said aperture, and said upper aperture when said cover is attached to said under mount frame; a plate member connected to said post member, said plate member in contact with said cover and supporting said cover when said cover is attached to said under mount frame; and an indented portion formed as part of said cover, said upper aperture formed as part of said indented portion, and said plate member is received into said indented portion when said cover is attached to said under mount frame.