AU2004233459A1 - An apparatus for storing a spare wheel - Google Patents

Description

P/00/011 Regulation 3.2

AUSTRALIA

Patents Act 1990

ORIGINAL

COMPLETE SPECIFICATION STANDARD PATENT Invention Title: "AN APPARATUS FOR STORING A SPARE WHEEL" The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method of performing it known to me/us: 1 0 0 AN APPARATUS FOR STORING A SPARE WHEEL o FIELD OF INVENTION z THE INVENTION RELATES to an apparatus for storing a spare wheel for a vehicle. More particularly, the invention relates to an apparatus for mounting to a tow hitch of a vehicle and adapted to releasably secure the e spare wheel. The apparatus is preferably relatively easily demountable.

ci 1 BACKGROUND 0 0Virtually all vehicles carry a spare wheel to enable replacement of a punctured tyre and allow the vehicle to be driven to a service centre for the damaged tyre to be repaired or replaced. Safety requirements in the transport industry compel taxis, limousines, hire cars and other vehicles to be fitted with a spare wheel. Spare wheels are typically located within the boot of a car and often take up significant room therein. Car manufacturers have recognised this problem and in privately used vehicles provide space saving spare wheels, i.e. smaller than standard wheels. In some situations, the owner of a car may choose to carry a can of temporary puncture repair foam rather than a spare wheel, although the efficiency of such devices is somewhat limited, particularly in the face of significant damage to a tyre.

Neither of these are appropriate solutions for taxis or limousines, where legislation governing such vehicles prohibits the use of anything otherthan a standard sized spare wheel.

Taxis are often converted to use gas as a fuel, which requires a gas cylinder to be fitted in the boot of the car. Decreased boot space caused by storing a spare wheel, in combination with the presence of a gas cylinder, 2 0 0 limits the use of the boot space and may also limit the number of passengers ci O that a taxi may carry if space is not available to carry suitcases and other z luggage. This can ultimately limit the earning potential of a taxi driver.

There are also occasions in which a driver of a private vehicle may 5 wish to maximise available storage space. This need may arise when going n on holidays, for example, and a large amount of luggage and accessory items also require transportation. There have been some attempts to 0 0address these problems.

US 5,469,998 to Van Dusen et al describes a hitch mounted tyre carrier. The carrier has an elongated arm with a tyre mounting structure. The arm is pivotally mounted to a bracket which in turn may be engaged with a tow hitch of a vehicle. The arm pivots around a horizontal axis to move the tyre between a transport and a storage position. This device however retains the spare tyre in the centre plane of the vehicle which may necessitate movement to each side to access all areas of the boot. Further, the apparatus has a single upright in the travel position which can be expected to allow exaggerated vibration during travel with associated noise generation.

US 5,564,611 to Weiler describes a swing-away wheel carrier adapted to be mounted exclusively to a cross tube of a receiving bracket assembly.

This device has a relatively complex arrangement for fitting to the cross tubes. Attachment and removal are expected to be reasonably time consuming and may require two people for safe operation. It also has the weight of the wheel positioned backwardly of the cross tube, thereby creating a rotational force on the attachment bracket in travel.

3 0 0 It is therefore an object of the invention to provide an apparatus for ci O storing a spare wheel of a vehicle which may alleviate or reduce one or more of the problems discussed above.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In a first aspect, the invention resides in an apparatus for storing a espare wheel on a vehicle, the apparatus comprising an attachment member 4 releasably attachable to a tow hitch of the vehicle, an intermediate body 0connected to the attachment member and, at least in part, extending laterally thereform, spare wheel support means for releasably supporting the spare wheel, the spare wheel support means spaced from the attachment member by the intermediate body, and pivot means enabling pivoting of the spare wheel support means relative to the attachment member, wherein the spare wheel support means pivots around an upright pivot axis.

Preferably the intermediate body is a frame having at least one frame member extending laterally from the attachment member. The pivot axis may be displaced laterally relative to the attachment member.

The pivot axis may be vertical. Alternatively the pivot axis may be angled. The pivot axis may be angled laterally outward relative to the attachment member.

The attachment member is preferably tubular and adapted to telescopically engage with the tow hitch.

The attachment member may include one or more apertures positioned for alignment with corresponding apertures in the tow hitch, the apertures dimensioned to receive locking devices.

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The locking devices may include or comprise a nut and bolt ci o combination or a pin.

z The intermediate body may include an inner upright frame member and an outer upright frame member, the frame members supported and spaced by a base member.

n Preferably, the base member extends laterally and perpendicularly from the attachment member.

0 0The pivot means may comprise one or more pivot joints located on the outer frame member.

The one or more pivot joints may include one or more of a pivot pin, a bush, a bearing and a hinge.

The pivot means may comprise two spaced pivot joints.

Suitably the spare wheel support means comprises a support body and a securing member located at an extremity of the support body, the securing member including one or more fasteners for releasably securing the spare wheel.

Each fastener may comprise a threaded shaft extending from the securing member and positioned to engage the spare wheel and receive a nut to lock the spare wheel in position.

The support body may be formed as a substantially L shaped frame member having one end pivotally engaged with the outer upright frame member, the securing member positioned at an opposite end of the L shaped frame member.

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0 N The securing member may comprise a plate member and a foot O supporting the plate member, the foot connected to the L shaped frame tmember.

The apparatus preferably further comprises releasable securing means for securing the spare wheel support means to the intermediate body.

eThe releasable securing means may comprise a bolt or threaded shaft adapted for passage through the support body and engagement with a N threaded bore in the intermediate body.

The bolt or threaded shaft is preferably adapted to provide compression of the support body against the intermediate body when tightened.

The support body may comprise a triangular frame mounted to the outer upright frame member by two spaced pivot joints.

The apparatus may further comprise a cover adapted for positioning over the spare wheel and, optionally, the intermediate body.

The attachment member may be adapted to receive a tow ball and/or tongue.

In a second aspect, the invention may reside in an apparatus for storing a spare wheel, comprising; an attachment member releasably attachable to a tow hitch of a vehicle; spare wheel support means; and pivot means enabling the spare wheel support means to pivot relative to the attachment member.

6 0 0 The apparatus may further comprise an intermediate body located ci O between the attachment member and the spare wheel support means.

z 3 ~Preferably the attachment member is a tube having a square, oval or circular cross section, adapted to telescopically engage with a tow attachment of a vehicle.

en The intermediate body may be in the form of a channel, tube or rod, which extends upwardly from the attachment member. Alternatively the 0intermediate body may comprise a frame having any suitable shape such as a pair of parallel upwardly extending frame members connected by a base frame member. Preferably the intermediate body may function as a stop to prevent or inhibit undesired pivotal movement of the spare wheel support means.

The spare wheel support means may comprise a support member and a securing member for securing a spare wheel. The support member may be an inverted L shape arm or a triangular shaped frame. The securing member for securing a spare wheel may include a securing plate located at an extremity of the support body having at least one releasable fastener for securing a spare wheel, which extends through an associated aperture of the plate.

The pivot means may be any means which provides a pivotal type motion of the spare wheel support means relative to the attachment member.

The pivot means may comprise a pivot pin, bush, hinge or other form of pivot joint. A single or pair of pivot means may be utilised.

The apparatus for storing a spare wheel may further include 1- 7

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0 releasable securing means for securing the spare wheel support means to ci o the intermediate body to prevent any undesirable pivotal movement of the z spare wheel support means.

The apparatus for storing a spare wheel may also include a cover adapted to be located over the spare wheel when fastened to the spare wheel support means.

BRIEF DISCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a perspective, part exploded view of a first embodiment of the apparatus of the invention.

FIG. 2 shows the embodiment of FIG 1 with spare wheel support means pivotally extended and the apparatus attached to a tow hitch.

FIG. 3A is a perspective view of the embodiment of FIG 1 aligned for attachment to a tow hitch of a car.

FIG. 3B shows the first embodiment attached to a car FIG. 3C shows a spare wheel fitted to the first embodiment when in use.

FIG. 4 shows the first embodiment of the apparatus for storing a spare wheel, pivoted outwardly from a car to provide access to the boot.

FIG. 5 shows a second embodiment of the apparatus for storing a spare wheel when attached to a tow hitch.

FIG. 6 shows the second embodiment fitted to a station wagon, with the spare wheel support means pivoted outwardly and the boot open.

FIG. 7 shows an embodiment of the invention with a cover over the spare wheel.

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0 DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION o FIGS. 1 and 2 show an apparatus 10 for storing a spare wheel having z an attachment member 20, an intermediate body 30, spare wheel support means 40 and pivot means 50 connecting the spare wheel support means 40 to the intermediate body n The attachment member 20 is a short length of square steel tubing with apertures 21 located to correspond with similar co-aligned apertures 76 0on a tow attachment or tow hitch 70 of a vehicle to allow bolts 74 to pass through and engage nuts 75 thus securing the attachment member 20 to the vehicle.

The tow hitch or tow attachment is typically a rearwardly extending arm adapted to receive a tow ball. Most common the tow ball is fitted to a tongue which may be easily engaged with the hitch. However, this is not universal and the tow ball may be positioned directly into engagement with the tow hitch. One common arrangement provides a bracket attached to the chassis of a vehicle and supporting the hitch. The hitch may be formed integrally with the bracket or separately and subsequently attached by bolts or similar. The hitch may be formed from plate material, usually steel, as shown in this embodiment. An alternative arrangement provides a tubular tow hitch configured to receive a tongue in a sliding or telescopic fit.

The intermediate body 30 is formed as a frame comprising a base member 32 which extends laterally from the attachment member 20 and in this embodiment is perpendicular or normal in relation thereto. The base member 32 supports and spaces an inner upright frame member 31 and an 9 0 c, outer upright frame member 33.

O In this specification, the term "upright" includes vertical orientation as z n well as angled or slanted orientation. Generally, the term may be understood to include orientations up to 45 degrees off vertical but may be even more in certain circumstances. Preferably the term refers to both vertical orientation n and angles up to 30 degrees off the vertical.

1- The inner upright member 31 has a vertical orientation although it 0 0 should be understood the term "vertical" and other similar terms are relative and for the purposes of convenient description. When the apparatus is disconnected from a vehicle or even when on a vehicle travelling on other than horizontal surfaces, the orientation may clearly be other than vertical.

The outer upright frame member has a longitudinal axis 34 which also forms the axis of rotation of the wheel support means 40. As is apparent the outer upright frame member is angled outwardly relative to the attachment means. In operation, the spare wheel and wheel support means will tend to pivot outwardly when released and thereby clear the boot of a vehicle. Other angulation may also be used in alternative configurations.

The wheel support means 40 comprises a support body 41 and a securing member which in this embodiment comprises a securing plate 42 and releasable fasteners in the form of bolts 46 and nuts 47. The bolts 46 are located through apertures and fixed in position by lock nuts 48. An alternative fixing may involve welding one or more threaded shafts to the plate 42. The bolts 46 are distributed so as to locate through stud apertures on a wheel. The nuts 47 may then be tightened into position to fix the wheel 010 0 in position.

O The support body 41 is substantially L-shaped and continuous with an z offset foot 49 which provides additional clearance for the side walls of a spare tyre to avoid rubbing against the support apparatus. The intermediate body 30 also spaces the spare wheel support means 40 sufficiently from the n attachment member 20 for convenient carriage but, preferably, low enough so that rear vision is not significantly compromised.

0 0Releasable securing means for fixing the spare wheel in a travelling position is also provided. An example shown in this embodiment has a locking bolt 90 with a threaded shaft 91 and easy operation handle 92. The shaft is dimensioned for passage through an oversized bore 93 in the wheel support means 40 and location in a threaded bore 94 in the inner upright frame member 31. Tightening of the locking bolt 90 will lead to compression of the wheel support means 40 against the intermediate body 30 at the inner frame member 31 and thereby provide secure fixation of the pivoting components. This arrangement will also tend to limit inter-component vibration and therefore noise and wear.

FIG 2 shows the embodiment of FIG 1 when pivoted or rotated outwardly around the pivot axis 34, after removal of the locking bolt A tab 35 is positioned rearwardly on the support body 41 and configured to strike a top end region of the inner upright 31 when closing, thereby providing a stop mechanism.

An anchor tab 96 is also provided and may be conveniently anterior to the securing plate 42 and posterior to the anchor bolt 90. The anchor tab 96 11

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0 has a co-operating fixing bolt and washer 97 arranged to lock a wheel cover ci o in place.

z In this embodiment a tow ball 22 is mounted to a removable tongue 23 dimensioned to slide into the rearward end 24 of the attachment member 5 eA locking pin 25 may then be slid through aligned apertures 26 and fixed in position by spring clip 27. The assembled arrangement is shown in 0 0 FIG 2. This enhances the utility of the device and allows a trailer to be towed simultaneously with use of the spare wheel carrying apparatus.

FIGS. 3A, 3B and 3C show the apparatus 10 for storing a spare wheel when in use. Initially the apparatus 10 is attached to a vehicle tow hitch 170 located on a vehicle 71 by telescopically fitting the attachment member within the vehicle tow attachment 170 and releasably securing it using standard fastening means, such as nut and bolts or one or more pins. The tow hitch 170 is in a different configuration from that of FIG 1 in that it is formed to sleeve over the tow attachment member or, more conventionally, over the tongue of a tow ball arrangement. These steps are shown progressively in FIGS. 3A to 3C. The spare wheel 72 is located on and fastened to the securing plate 42 of the spare wheel support means 40 using the releasable fasteners 43, nut and bolts, shown progressively in FIG. 3B and 3C.

Once the spare wheel 72 is located on the spare wheel support means 40, the locking bolt 90 may be removed from its location through the support body 41 and into the intermediate body 30 to allow the spare wheel 12

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Ssupport means 40 to pivot about the pivot means 50 and extend away from ci o the rear or boot of the vehicle 71, allowing access to the boot for loading and z Iunloading of luggage.

FIG. 4 illustrates the apparatus 10 for storing a spare wheel attached to a vehicle 71, in this case a sedan, where the locking bolt 90 has been eremoved to allow the spare wheel support means 40 to pivot away from the boot 73 of the vehicle 71, providing clear access to the boot once opened.

0 0FIG. 5 shows a second embodiment of the apparatus 110 for storing a spare wheel. The attachment member 120 telescopically engages a vehicle tow attachment 170 and is releasably secured by nuts and bolts 174, 175.

The intermediate body 130 of this embodiment is a frame, comprising a pair of parallel frame members in the form of inner upright frame member 131 and outer upright frame member 133, which are both supported and spaced by base member 132.

The spare wheel support means 140 is pivotally mounted by two spaced pivot joints 150 located on the upright 133 of the frame 130. The spare wheel support means 140 of this example is support body which in this embodiment is a support frame having two tubular members 144 145 having a substsantially triangular shape or A shaped frame, as shown.

There is also provided a securing plate 142. The plate 142 is fitted with a plurality of releasable fasteners 143 and is located at the apex of the tubular members 144 145 and distal to the pivot means 150.

The inner upright frame member 131 also functions as an upwardly extending stop that prevents the spare wheel support means 140 from -t 13

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0 N touching the rear or boot of the vehicle.

O In this embodiment, the outer upright frame member 133 is z substantially vertical.

The second embodiment of the apparatus 110 for storing a spare wheel may include additional bracing members (not shown) extending ebetween the outer upright frame member 133 of the intermediate body 130 and the inner upright frame member 131. The inner upright frame member 0131 is of such a height that the hatch or boot can readily clear it when opening.

Both embodiments of the invention are suitable for use on sedans, station wagons, hatches and the like, where rotation of the boot when opening requires additional clearance. The relative dimensions may be varied as required to accommodate different vehicle configurations.

FIG. 6 shows the second embodiment of the apparatus 10 for storing a spare wheel fitted to a vehicle 171, in this case a station wagon, with a spare wheel 72 located on and fastened to plate 142 of the spare wheel support means 140. The spare wheel support means 140 is pivoted outwardly at pivot means 150 to provide clear access to the boot or hatch area of a car. It will be appreciated that the second embodiment may work effectively on a hatch back or a sedan.

FIG. 7 illustrates the first embodiment of the apparatus 10 for storing a spare wheel with a cover 80 placed over the spare wheel 72 when fitted to the spare wheel support means 40. The cover 80 provides added aesthetic appeal and a fastening point 81 for a number plate. This cover may be 14

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N formed from plastic, Perspex, natural or synthetic rubber fabrics, PVC, ci O polycarbonate or the like. It will be appreciated that the covers may be decorated with artistic and/or advertising material to add to their appeal. The application of commercial advertising to the wheel cover may also provide additional income steams for small vehicle transport operators.

eIt will be appreciated that the attachment members and support J- members whilst described above as being made of square tubular steel 0 sections may be oval, flat, circular or any other cross-section desired and may be solid. It will also be appreciated that the attachment member and support member may be formed form high-grade steel or any other materials having sufficient strength and fatigue resistance properties to support the weight of a spare wheel during normal day to day operations of a vehicle to which the support is fitted. These other materials may include other metals such as aluminium or strong synthetic polymers.

Throughout the specification the aim has been to describe the preferred embodiments of the invention without limiting the invention to any one embodiment or specific collection of features.

Throughout this specification, unless the context requires otherwise, the word "comprises", and variations such as "comprise" or "comprising", will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated integer or group of integers or steps but not to the exclusion of any other integer or group of integers.

Claims (15)

1. 2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the intermediate body is a frame having at least one frame member.
2. 3. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein the pivot axis is displaced laterally relative to the attachment member.
3. 4. The apparatus of claim 3 wherein the pivot axis is vertical. The apparatus of claim 3 wherein the pivot axis is angled laterally outward relative to the attachment member. 16 0 0 6. The apparatus of any one of the preceding claims wherein the o attachment member is tubular and adapted to telescopically engage with the z tow hitch.
4. 7. The apparatus of claim 6 wherein the attachment member includes one or more apertures positioned for alignment with corresponding n apertures in the tow hitch, the apertures dimensioned to receive locking 1- devices. 0 0 8. The apparatus of claim 7 wherein each locking device includes a nut and bolt combination or a pin.
5. 9. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein the intermediate body includes an inner upright frame memberand an outer upright frame member, the frame members supported and spaced by a base member. The apparatus of claim 9 wherein the base member extends laterally and perpendicularly from the attachment member.
6. 11. The apparatus of claim 10 wherein the pivot means comprises one or more pivot joints located on the outer frame member.
7. 12. The apparatus of claim 11 wherein the one or more pivot joints include one or more of a pivot pin, a bush, a bearing and a hinge.
8. 13. The apparatus of claim 11 wherein the pivot means comprises two spaced pivot joints.
9. 14. The apparatus of any one of the preceding claims wherein the spare wheel support means comprises a support body and a securing member located at an extremity of the support body, the securing member including one or more fasteners for releasably securing the spare wheel. 17 O O 0 15. The apparatus of claim 14 wherein each fastener comprises a ci o threaded shaft extending from the securing member and positioned to z ~engage the spare wheel and receive a nut to lock the spare wheel in position.
10. 16. The apparatus of claim 13 wherein the support body is formed n as a substantially L shaped frame member having one end pivotally engaged with the outer upright frame member, the securing member positioned at an 0 0 opposite end of the L shaped frame member.
11. 17. The apparatus of claim 16 wherein the securing member comprises a plate member and a foot supporting the plate member, the foot connected to the L shaped frame member.
12. 18. The apparatus of any one of the preceding claims further comprising releasable securing means for securing the spare wheel support means to the intermediate body.
13. 19. The apparatus of claim 18 wherein the releasable securing means comprises a bolt or threaded shaft adapted for passage through the support body and engagement with a threaded bore in the intermediate body. The apparatus of claim 19 wherein the bolt or threaded shaft is adapted to provide compression of the support body against the intermediate body when tightened.
14. 21. The apparatus of claim 13 wherein the support body is a triangular frame mounted to the outer upright frame member by two spaced pivot joints. 18 0 c 22. The apparatus of any one of the preceding claims further comprising a cover adapted for positioning over the spare wheel and, Soptionally, the intermediate body.
15. 23. The apparatus of any one of the preceding claims wherein the attachment member is adapted to receive a tow ball and/or tongue. n 24. An apparatus for storing a spare wheel on a vehicle substantially as described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 4 herein. C 25. An apparatus for storing a spare wheel on a vehicle substantially as described with reference to FIGS. 5 and 6 herein.