AU2021202680B2 - Wheel carrier - Google Patents

Abstract

A wheel carrier for a vehicle, including a first component adapted to be secured on or to a vehicle a second component operatively connected to said first component for movement relative thereto from a stowed or upper position to an extended or lowered position and a third component operatively connected to said second component for movement relative thereto from a stowed or upper position to an extended or lowered position, said third component including means for mounting a spare wheel thereto and securing means for securing said third component in the stowed or upper position. 0/2-Z3 10 18.i18a 22. ""a (J 7 18b 22b 16. 16a 16b 1412 S16 14 -12 36 mum] 18 v3 FI.

Description

0/2-Z3 10

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FI. WHEEL CARRIER

THIS INVENTION relates to a wheel carrier.

The invention has particular application to a wheel carrier

for mounting a wheel to a vehicle. More specifically the

invention relates to a wheel carrier for mounting a spare wheel

(sometimes referred to as a spare tyre) to the outside of the

vehicle.

Many four wheel drive vehicles (4WD vehicles) and sports

utility vehicles (SUV) mount the spare wheel to the rear luggage

door of the vehicle, for example, Toyota Troop carriers and

Nissan Patrols. However, many four wheel drive enthusiasts

replace the vehicle manufacturer's rear bumper bar by a heavier

quality bumper bar which is designed to carry two spare wheels

thereby providing additional security when travelling in remote

areas. Typically, enthusiasts travelling in remote areas will

have replaced the manufacturers wheels (which are relatively

heavy) by wider wheels with wider rugged terrain tyres which are

much heavier than standard four wheel drive wheels.

While it is difficult for a single person to release a

standard four wheel drive wheel from its mount it will be

appreciated that it is even more difficult for a single person

to release a rugged terrain wheel from a standard spare wheel

mount or a bumper bar mount. Moreover, while it may be possible

for some enthusiasts to release the spare wheel from the mount

and use it to replace a damaged wheel/tyre, the damaged wheel

has to be remounted on the spare wheel carrier which generally

requires it to be lifted up to a metre above the ground which

can be very difficult and dangerous in some circumstances.

It will be appreciated that many 4WD enthusiasts now tow a

luggage trailer, camper van or caravan to remote places over

cMIL15222description29April2021 rough terrain and many of those vehicles are also fitted with

4WD wheels to raise the bottom of the van to match the ground

clearance of the towing vehicle. Consequently, such vehicles

also have to carry one or two spare wheels/tyres which are also

heavy and awkward to mount and dismount. The present invention

also has application to such vehicles.

The present invention is aimed at providing a wheel carrier

which alleviates the shortcomings of existing wheel carriers,

particularly insofar as the weight or awkwardness of handling

spare wheels is concerned. While the invention is particularly

concerned with wheel carriers of the type which may be

retrofitted to vehicles such as those previously mentioned, the

invention also has application to wheel carriers which may be

incorporated in new vehicles. Other aims and advantages of the

invention may become apparent from the following description.

With the foregoing in view, the invention resides broadly

in a wheel carrier for a vehicle, including:

a first component adapted to be secured on or to a vehicle;

a second component operatively connected to said first

component for movement relative thereto from a stowed or upper

position to an extended or lowered position; and

a third component operatively connected to said second

component for movement relative thereto from a stowed or upper

position to an extended or lowered position, said third

component including means for mounting a spare wheel thereto;

and

securing means for securing said third component in the

stowed or upper position.

cMIL15222description29April2021

In another aspect, the invention resides broadly in a wheel

carrier for a vehicle, including:

a first component adapted to be secured on or to a vehicle,

said first component including load support means for supporting

a load thereon;

a second component operatively connected to said first

component for movement relative thereto from a stowed or upper

position to an extended or lowered position; and

a third component operatively connected to said second

component for movement relative thereto from a stowed or upper

position to an extended or lowered position, said third

component including means for mounting a spare wheel thereto and

load transfer means for transferring at least some of the weight

of the spare wheel to the load support means of said first

component.

In another aspect, the invention resides broadly in a wheel

carrier for a vehicle, including:

a first component adapted to be secured on or to a vehicle;

a second component operatively connected to said first

component for movement relative thereto about a generally

horizontal first pivot axis from a stowed or upper position to

an extended or lowered position; and

a third component operatively connected to said second

component for movement relative thereto about a generally

horizontal second pivot axis from a stowed or upper position to

an extended or lowered position, said third component including

means for mounting a spare wheel thereto,

cMIL15222description29April2021 and said second pivot axis being spaced from said first pivot axis and higher than said first pivot axis when said second component is in its stowed or upper position on a vehicle and said second pivot axis being lower than said first pivot axis when said second component is in its extended or lowered position.

In yet another aspect, the invention resides broadly in a

wheel carrier for a vehicle, including:

a first component adapted to be secured on or to a vehicle,

said first component including securing means for securing the

wheel carrier to the vehicle;

a second component operatively connected to said first

component for movement relative thereto about a generally

horizontal first pivot axis from a stowed or upper position to

an extended or lowered position; and

a third component operatively connected to said second

component for movement relative thereto about a generally

horizontal second pivot axis from a stowed or upper position to

an extended or lowered position, said second pivot axis being

spaced from said first pivot axis and said third component

including mounting means for mounting a spare wheel of the

vehicle thereto;

said securing means of said first component and said

mounting means of said third component being so made and arranged

to hold the hub of the spare wheel in a predetermined position

spaced from the cabin of the vehicle.

Preferably, said securing means is arranged to secure said

third component to said first component in a manner whereby the

cMIL15222description29April2021 weight of the spare wheel is effectively transferred directly to the first component.

Preferably, the components are so made and arranged that

the spare wheel is held in a substantially vertical orientation

when in the stowed position, that is, with the rolling axis of

the wheel substantially horizontal.

It is also preferred that the components are so made and

arranged that the wheel is held in a substantially vertical

orientation when the third component is in the lowered position.

Preferably, the wheel carrier includes adjustment means for

adjusting the lowered height of the third component so that the

wheel is substantially vertical when the second component and

the third component are in the fully lowered position. It will

be appreciated that such adjustment means is aimed at setting

the fully down position for a particular vehicle and tyre

combination to which the wheel carrier may be mounted. For

example, a 4WD vehicle with 15-inch rims will require the fully

down position to be lower than a vehicle with 18-inch rims etc

and accordingly one form of adjustment means will allow such

semi-permanent pre-setting to be done. However, in another form,

the adjustment means allows the height to be adjusted at any

time so that the spare wheel may be lowered to an optimum

position to suit the terrain where a tyre/wheel may have to be

replaced, for example, if the vehicle is on an upslope or a down

slope.

Preferably, said first component includes first securing

means for securing the wheel carrier to the vehicle and second

securing means for securing the third component to the first

component. In such form it is preferred that the first and

second securing means cooperate to the extent that the wheel

weight load on the spare wheel mounting means of the third

cMIL15222description29April2021 component is substantially transferred to the first component and that the first component is made and arranged so as to hold the hub of the spare wheel in a predetermined position spaced from said first securing means.

In such form of the invention, it is preferred that the

predetermined position of the wheel hub is determined by

reference to the width of the spare tyre so that when the spare

wheel is in the stowed position, the inner wall of the tyre (the

wall or wall portion adjacent the vehicle cabin) is close to the

cabin, and preferably as close as possible without causing

damage to the cabin.

It is also preferred that the spare wheel mounting means

of the third component include a metal plate of a size and shape

allowing at least three diagonally opposite wheel studs to

secure the spare wheel thereto and that the first component

include a complementary plate or the like of at least a similar

size to provide for effective face to face engagement of the two

plates. In such form, it is preferred that a centre bolt and nut

be provided to secure the third component to the first component

and that such be provided centrally of the at least three wheel

studs when in the stowed position.

Preferably, said components are so made and arranged that

said second pivot axis is spaced from said first pivot axis and

higher than said first pivot axis when said second component is

in its stowed or upper position on a vehicle. In such form, it

is also preferred that said second pivot axis is lower than said

first pivot axis when said second component is in its extended

or lowered position.

Preferably, the components are so made and arranged that

when the second component is in the stowed or upper position it

cMIL15222description29April2021 is juxtaposed with the first component such that the first component extends further from the vehicle beyond the second component. In one such preferred form, the second component comprises a frame having two spaced apart side members which together straddle the first component. Such arrangement allows the second component to stand close to the vehicle while the first component extends through the first component which in turn allows the third component to rest against the portion or part of the first component extending through the second component. Consequently, when in the stowed position, the weight of the spare wheel is transferred directly to the first component and the second component carries little or no weight.

In one such arrangement, the third component includes a

connecting member or portion which is arranged or allowed to

also pass between the two spaced apart frame members of the

second component if desired for some spare wheels depending on

size.

Preferably, biasing means are provided to bias the second

component towards the stowed or upper position, and it is also

preferred that biasing means be provided to bias the third

component towards the stowed or upper position. In a much

preferred form, the biasing means includes gas struts which are

arranged to charge as each of the second and third components

are lowered against the bias under the weight of the spare wheel

thereby increasing the biasing force so as to assist in lifting

the wheel being replaced into the spare wheel stowed position

after it has been replaced. In other forms of the invention,

clock springs or torsion springs could be mounted on the

respective pivot axes to create the desired bias.

In one preferred form of the invention, where the second

component comprises two spaced apart frame members two gas

cMIL15222description29April2021 struts are mounted in parallel, one on each side of the space with one end connected to its respective frame member and the other end of each connected to the first component in the same spaced apart relationship. Similarly, it is also preferred that two spaced apart gas struts be used to bias the third component towards the stowed or upper position, the gas struts also being mounted at one end to the spaced apart frame members of the second component and to spaced apart mounting points on the third component.

Preferably, the biasing means is selected and arranged to

allow a person to lift the spare wheel from the lowered or

deployed position to the stowed position without undesired body

strain and similarly to lower the spare wheel from the stowed

position to the lowered or deployed position without undesirable

body strain.

In still yet another aspect, the invention resides broadly

in a wheel carrier including:

a fixed mounting portion or component adapted to be

securely mounted to a vehicle;

a first pivotable portion or component pivotally mounted

at a proximal end to the fixed mounting portion and having a

distal end remote from the proximal end, the pivotal mounting

being for pivoting the first pivotable portion from a stowed

position alongside the vehicle to a deployed position away from

the vehicle; and

a second pivotable portion or component pivotally mounted

to the distal end of the first pivotable portion or component

and having a wheel mounting for demountably mounting a vehicle

wheel thereto, the pivotal mounting being arranged such that the

second pivotable portion or component is alongside or adjacent

cMIL15222description29April2021 the first pivotable portion or component in the stowed position and away from and below the first pivotable portion or component in the deployed position.

Preferably, the fixed mounting portion or component is

aligned vertically or near to vertical when the vehicle is

oriented in its normal orientation of level ground. In such

form, the first and second pivotable portions or components are

also vertical or close to vertical when in the stowed position

whereby the spare wheel mounted to the wheel mount may be stowed

in a substantially vertical attitude.

It is also preferred that mechanical arrangements are

provided, such as levers, struts, cables or combinations of

same, to keep the second pivotable portion substantially

parallel to the fixed mounting portion through the pivoting

motion from the stowed position to the deployed position and

vice versa. The second pivotable portion generally depends

downward from the distal end of the first pivotable portion, and

in the preferred arrangement, is constrained to remain

substantially vertical through deployment and stowage between

the stowed and deployed positions.

In another aspect, the present invention resides broadly

in a method of mounting a wheel to a wheel carrier having a

fixed mounting portion fixedly mounted to a vehicle; a first

pivotable portion pivotally mounted at a proximal end to the

fixed mounting portion and having a distal end remote from the

proximal end; and a second pivotable portion pivotally mounted

to the distal end of the first pivotable portion and having a

wheel mounting for mounting the vehicle wheel thereto, the

method including:

cMIL15222description29April2021 mounting the wheel to the wheel mount, pivoting the first and second pivotable portions from a deployed position away from the vehicle to a stowed position alongside the vehicle.

In still yet another aspect, the invention resides broadly

in a rear bumper bar for a vehicle, including:

a first member adapted to extend substantially across the width

of the vehicle, the first member including connecting means for

connecting it to the chassis of the vehicle and mounting means

for mounting one or two spare wheel carriers of the type

previously described thereto.

In still yet another aspect, the invention resides broadly

in a bulbar for a vehicle, including:

a first member adapted to extend substantially across the

width of the vehicle, the first member including connecting

means for connecting it to the chassis of the vehicle and

mounting means for mounting one or two spare wheel carriers of

the type previously described thereto.

Preferably, said connecting means includes an opening in

the rear bumper bar or the bulbar for the or each wheel carrier,

the opening being adapted to receive therein a mounting member

of the wheel carrier.

In order that the invention may be more readily understood

and put into practical effect, reference will now be made to the

accompanying drawings which illustrate a preferred embodiment

of the invention and wherein:

Fig. la is a diagrammatic side view of a wheel carrier

according to the invention showing the wheel carrier at four

cMIL15222description29April2021 positions between and including the stowed or upper position and the lowered or deployed position;

Fig. lb is the same schematic side view of the wheel carrier

as in Fig. 1 but with the wheel carrier mounted on a 4WD vehicle;

Fig. 2a is a pictorial representation of a wheel carrier

according to the invention mounted to the back door of a 4WD

vehicle in the fully stowed position;

Fig. 2b is a pictorial representation of a wheel carrier

according to the invention mounted to the back door of a 4WD

vehicle in line for assembly in the fully stowed position;

Fig. 3a is a pictorial representation of two wheel carriers

according to the invention mounted to the rear protection bar

of a 4WD vehicle in the fully stowed position;

Fig. 3b is a side elevation of the wheel carriers mounted

to the vehicle as in Fig. 3a in the fully stowed position;

Fig. 3c is a pictorial representation of the two wheel

carriers shown in Fig. 3a after swinging outwards to give access

to the luggage compartment;

Fig. 3d is a pictorial representation of the two wheel

carriers shown in Fig. 3c with spare wheels mounted thereon

after swinging outwards to give access to the luggage

compartment;

Fig. 4 is a pictorial representation of the wheel carrier

shown in Fig. 2 or wheel carriers shown in Fig. 3 removed from

the vehicle when seen from the rear on one side in the fully

stowed position;

cMIL15222description29April2021

Fig. 5 is a side elevation of the wheel carrier of Fig. 4

from one side in the fully stowed position;

Fig. 6 is a pictorial representation of the wheel carrier

of Fig. 4 from the rear on the other side in the fully stowed

position in the fully stowed position;

Fig. 7 is a rear elevation of the wheel carrier of Fig. 4

in the fully stowed position;

Fig. 8 is a pictorial representation of the wheel carrier

of Fig. 4 from the front on one side in the fully stowed

position;

Fig. 9 is a side elevation of the wheel carrier of Fig. 4

from the same side as in Fig. 8 in the fully stowed position;

Fig. 10 is a pictorial representation of the wheel carrier

of Fig. 4 from the front on one side in the fully stowed

position;

Fig. 11 is a front elevation of the wheel carrier of Fig.

4 in the fully stowed position;

Fig. 12 is a pictorial representation of the wheel carrier

of Fig. 4 from the front on one side in the fully lowered

position;

Fig. 13 is a side elevation of the wheel carrier of Fig. 4

in the fully lowered position;

Fig. 14 is a pictorial representation of the wheel carrier

of Fig. 4 from the rear on one side in the fully lowered

position;

Fig. 15 is a rear elevation of the wheel carrier of Fig. 4

in the fully lowered position;

cMIL15222description29April2021

Fig. 16 is a pictorial representation of the wheel carrier

of Fig. 4 from the front on one side in the fully lowered

position;

Fig. 17 is a side elevation of the wheel carrier of Fig. 4

in the fully lowered position;

Fig. 18 is a pictorial representation of the wheel carrier

of Fig. 4 from the front on the other side in the fully lowered

position;

Fig. 19 is a front elevation of the wheel carrier of Fig.

4 in the fully lowered position;

Fig. 20 is another side elevation of the wheel carrier of

Fig. 4 in the fully lowered position;

Fig. 21 is a pictorial representation of the wheel carrier

of Fig. 4 from the rear on one side in the fully lowered position

as shown in Fig.20;

Fig. 22 is another side elevation of the wheel carrier of

Fig. 4 in a partly raised/almost fully lowered position from the

same side;

Fig. 23 is a pictorial representation of the wheel carrier

of Fig. 4 from the rear on one side in the partly raised/ almost

fully lowered position as shown in Fig. 22;

Fig. 24 is another side elevation of the wheel carrier of

Fig. 4 in a "half" raised/"half" lowered position;

Fig. 25 is a pictorial representation of the wheel carrier

of Fig. 4 from the rear on one side in the half raised/ half

lowered position as shown in Fig. 24;

cMIL15222description29April2021

Fig. 26 is another side elevation of the wheel carrier of

Fig. 4 in an almost fully raised/partly lowered position;

Fig. 27 is a pictorial representation of the wheel carrier

of Fig. 4 from the rear on one side in the almost fully

raised/partly lowered position as shown in Fig. 26;

Figs. 28 to 30 show the wheel carrier with a wheel mounted

thereto and in the fully lowered position with the wheel resting

on the ground; and Figs. 31 to 33 show another wheel carrier

according to the invention with a different adjustment system.

The wheel carrier 10 illustrated in Fig. 1 includes a fixed

mounting portion or component 12 adapted to be mounted to the

rear door or rear bumper bar (or rear protection bar) of a

vehicle 11.

In the form illustrated, the fixed mounting portion or

component is intended to be mounted to an existing wheel mount

of a rear protection bar of the type which is often retro fitted

to 4WD vehicles. Some of those rear protection bars have two

spare wheels mounted thereon and the spare wheel/s are mounted

to a post upstanding from the rear protection bar and arranged

to swing outwards from immediately behind the luggage

compartment access door to allow access to the luggage

compartment.

However, it will be appreciated that the fixed mounting

portion could be mounted to other structures of the vehicle and

the fixed mounting portion may take other forms suitable to

different vehicles and different rear protection bars. For

example, in the case of a small truck the wheel carrier may be

mounted to the side of the truck chassis and in the case of a

caravan, the wheel carrier might be mounted to the rear end or

the front end of the van depending on the structure available.

cMIL15222description29April2021

In the general form illustrated in Fig. 1, the fixed

mounting portion 12 includes a steel plate or beam 12a which

includes bolt holes therethrough (not shown) positioned for

bolting to the existing wheel mount to a rear protection bar and

a vertically arranged steel member 12b typically of RHS

construction which is welded or bolted to the plate 12a and

extends upwardly and downwardly therefrom to form an extended

fixed mounting portion or member.

A first pivotable beam 14 is pivotally mounted at one end

(the proximal end) to the lower end of extended fixed mounting

portion 12b by way of a first horizontal pivot shaft 20 which

extends generally parallel to the rear end of the vehicle (or

the rear protection bar) for pivoting movement relative thereto

through an arc of up to 180 degrees from a fully stowed or upper

position to a fully extended or down position.

A second pivotable or pivoting beam 16 is mounted to the

opposite end (the distal end) of the first pivotable beam by way

of a second pivot shaft 22. A wheel support plate 17 is mounted

to the second pivotable beam 16 and wheel mount and wheel 18

shown schematically are mounted thereto by bolts 19 in the same

manner as spare wheels are mounted to the rear of 4WD vehicles.

Fig. 1 illustrates four positions of the spare wheel moving

from the fully stowed or upper position at "A" through partly

lowered intermediate positions "B" and "C" to a fully extended

or fully down position at "D". Various components have been

labelled with the same reference numbers as before but with an "a", "b", "c" or "d" when in the respective A, B, C, or D

positions. Thus, the moving components in the fully stowed

position are indicated at 14a, 16a and 18a, in the fully down

or deployed position at 14d, 16d and 18d and at two intermediate

positions at 14b, 16b and 18b, 14c, 16c and 18c. The second

cMIL15222description29April2021 pivot also moves by virtue of it being located at the distal end of the first pivotable arm as indicated at 22a, 22b, 22c and

22d.

A gas strut 24, is connected at one end to the fixed beam

or plate 12 adjacent its upper end at 23 and at its other end

to the first pivotable beam 14, as indicated at 24a, 24b, 24c

and 24d. Advantageously, the gas strut is biased to close thereby

biasing the first pivotable beam to the fully stowed or fully

up position so as to assist with raising the spare wheel to the

fully stowed position. Further, as the spare wheel is lowered

the bias towards the stowed position increases allowing a person

to more easily lift the replaced wheel from the ground position

to an intermediate position where the person is in a more

suitable lifting position.

The second pivotable beam 16 is allowed to swing against

the friction provided by a pin lock 27 (not visible) mounted on

pivot shaft 22 (which assists to keep the wheel mount and wheel

substantially at or close to vertical in movement from the stowed

position to the deployed position and vice versa).

The wheel carrier 110 illustrated in Figs. 2 to 27 operates

in much the same manner as the wheel carrier 10 illustrated in

Fig. 1 and accordingly the same item numbers will be used to

reference corresponding items or components except prefaced by

a "1". Similarly, where different components are referred to the

same item numbers will also be used where possible but preface

by a "2" or a "3" or a "4" instead of a "1" as the case may be.

It will be seen that the wheel carrier 110 does have some

advantages which will be appreciated from the following

description. Wheel carrier 110 like wheel carrier 10 has three

main components, a first component 140 which is adapted to be

cMIL15222description29April2021 secured to the rear door or rear bumper bar or rear protection bar of a 4WD vehicle such as a Toyota Landcruiser wagon, a second component 141 which is connected to the first component at one end by a horizontal pivot shaft 142 and arranged to rotate about horizontal pivot axis 143 from a stowed or fully raised position as can be seen in figures 2 to 12 to a fully extended or lowered position as can be seen in figs 13 to 21 through various intermediate positions as can be seen in figs 22 to 27 and a third component 144 which in turn is connected to the second component at its other end by a pivot pin 145 and arranged to rotate about horizontal pivot axis 146 which is parallel to pivot axis 143 and spaced therefrom.

As can be seen more clearly in Fig 12, the first component

140 includes a bracket or plate 151 which is adapted to mount

to a swivel post on a rear protection bar. A short sleeve 152

formed of 75mm x 75mm RHS protrudes rearward from plate 151 and

a spacer bar 153 formed from 65 x 65 RHS is slidably engaged

within the short sleeve and secured therein by a horizontal pin

of known type (not shown).

A support panel 155 of generally truncated V-shape form in

side view with a vertical end portion 155a welded to the outer

end of spacer bar 153 and upper and lower inclined portions 155b

and 155c which extend from the vertical end portion towards the

vehicle and are reinforced by upper and lower gussets 156 and

157 which extend to the upper and lower faces of the and a welded

thereto so as to hold upper inclined portion 155b and lower

inclined portion 155c of the V-shaped panel in constant

relationship with the 147 for a purpose which will be described

later. Additionally, a locking bolt 159 extends rearward from

the spacer bar 153 passing through the vertical end portion of

the V shaped panel for a purpose which will be described later

cMIL15222description29April2021 also. A hanger portion 155d is contiguous with lower inclined portion 155c to which a sleeve 158 is welded and arranged to receive therethrough pivot shaft 142.

The second component 141 comprises two spaced apart

parallel frame members 141a and 141b with their outer faces

lying in the same plane and having sleeves or sleeve portions

141c and 141d at their opposite ends through which respective

pivot shafts 142 and 145 extend. Advantageously the width of the

space "X" between the frame members is slightly greater than the

width "Y" of the V shaped panel of the first component which

allows the second component to swing over the V-shaped panel

about pivot shaft 142 with the frame members on opposite sides

thereof in a substantially vertical orientation above pivot

shaft 142.

The third component 144 includes a generally Z-shaped panel

162 comprising a spacer portion 162a which is welded to a sleeve

163 through which pivot shaft 145 extends, a load bearing portion

162b contiguous with spacer portion 162a and a spare wheel

connector portion 162c which is contiguous with load bearing

portion 162b. Wheel studs 164 are mounted in the spare wheel

connector portion 162c in no one manner.

A pair of gas struts 171 and 172 are connected at one end

to opposite sides of the upper inclined portion 155b of the V

shaped panel 155 via opposed lugs 173 and 174 and at the other

end to side frame members 141a and 141b via opposed lugs 175 and

176 spaced from the pivot shaft 143 to bias the second component

towards the stowed position.

Similarly, gas struts 177 and 178 are connected at one end

to the other ends of the side frame members 141a and 141b and

to the spare wheel connector portion 162b at the other end to

cMIL15222description29April2021 bias the third component to the stowed position. Advantageously, gas struts 177 and 178 are also effective to hold the spare wheel connector portion 162b in the vertical orientation so as to keep the spare wheel 118 vertical when it is resting on the ground ready to be removed and likewise for the damaged wheel to be fitted to the spare wheel connector portion.

As can be seen in various drawings, an adjustment mechanism

is provided to lock the second component in a predetermined

position relative to the first component by way of locking pin

181 engaging with any selected one of a plurality of apertures

182 provided in adjustment plate 183 which itself is welded to

the hanger portion 155d of the first component in a fixed

position. The adjustment mechanism allows the lowermost position

of the second component to be selected for a particular wheel

size whereby the wheel may rest on the ground in the vertical

orientation when the second component is in the fully lowered

position. If desired, a similar mechanism may be incorporated

for example by way of a ratchet mechanism so that a person may

lift a spare tire to a predetermined position where it is held

so that a person may change grip on the tire 118 in order to

obtain a better purchase to take it fully into the stowed

position.

An alternative adjustment mechanism is shown in the wheel

carrier 210 illustrated in part in Figs. 31 to 33. As can be

seen in Fig. 31, the adjustment mechanism comprises two spaced

apart pairs of abutting plates mounted on pivot shaft 242, with

the two plates of each pair secured together by set bolts 283c

and 283d. Advantageously, the outside plate 283b of each pair

can be replaced by a different plate such as that shown in Fig.

32 where the angular distance between the fully raised locking

position set by hole 282a and the fully lowered position set by

cMIL15222description29April2021 hole 282b is changed to suit a different diameter wheel whereby the fully down position will be higher or lower to suit. Thus, a plate specific to a particular vehicle can be selected. In another alternative, a plate with a plurality of holes can be selected such as that illustrated in Fig. 33 where a third hole

482c is provided as well as hole 282b giving two choices of down

positions. Of course, any number of holes may be provided as

desired. As will also be appreciated from Figs. 31 to 33, this

particular form of adjustment holds arms 241a and 241b together

and each arm is locked independently thereby preventing relative

twisting therebetween. Suitably, this adjustment system

incorporates two co-acting locking pins 281a and 281b, arranged

to engage their respective locking plates.

Returning now to Figs. 2 to 30, as can be seen more clearly

in side elevation, for example in Fig. 5, load bearing portion

162b of the third component is arranged to rest on upper inclined

portion 155b of the first component so as to transmit the weight

of the spare wheel 118 largely thereto. In order to limit or

prevent chafing between the two plates, rubber cushions 189 are

glued or riveted to the upper inclined portion 155b. It will

also be seen that the spare wheel connector portion 162C is

secured to the spacer shaft 153 by vertical portion 155a of the

V shaped panel by stud 159a and complementary nut 159b. Thus,

it will be appreciated that the wheel carrier mounts the spare

wheel close to the back panel of the vehicle with the rim of the

spare wheel partially surrounding the V shaped panel and in the

stowed position the second component is effectively free of load

and the weight of the spare wheel is transmitted almost directly

to the first component and from there directly to the rear

protection bar.

cMIL15222description29April2021

In use, the wheel carrier would normally be mounted to a

vehicle as shown in the drawings and when the spare wheel 118

is needed, it may be deployed by unlocking the third component

from the first component, and then pulling the wheel and wheel

mount out and down to rest on the ground for detachment of the

wheel from the wheel mount.

Although the invention has been described with reference

mainly to one specific example, it will be appreciated by those

skilled in the art that the invention may be embodied in many

other forms and fall within the broad scope and ambit of the

invention as herein set forth.

cMIL15222description29April2021

Claims (29)

THE CLAIMS DEFINING THE INVENTION ARE AS FOLLOWS:

1. A wheel carrier for a vehicle, including:

a first component adapted to be secured on or to a vehicle;

a second component operatively connected to said first

component for movement relative thereto from a stowed or upper

position to an extended or lowered position; and

a third component operatively connected to said second

component for movement relative thereto from a stowed or upper

position to an extended or lowered position, said third

component including means for mounting a spare wheel thereto;

and

securing means for securing said third component in the stowed

or upper position, wherein said securing means is arranged to

secure said third component to said first component in a manner

whereby the weight of the spare wheel is transferred directly

to the first component.

2. A wheel carrier for a vehicle, including:

a first component adapted to be secured on or to a vehicle,

said first component including load support means for supporting

a load thereon;

a second component operatively connected to said first

component for movement relative thereto from a stowed or upper

position to an extended or lowered position; and

a third component operatively connected to said second

component for movement relative thereto from a stowed or upper

position to an extended or lowered position, said third

component including means for mounting a spare wheel thereto and

cMIL15222claimsamd17July2023 load transfer means juxtaposed with said load support means when in the stowed or upper position such that the weight of the spare wheel is substantially transferred directly to the load support means of said first component.

3. A wheel carrier for a vehicle, including:

a first component adapted to be secured on or to a vehicle,

said first component including load support means for supporting

a load thereon;

a second component operatively connected to said first

component for movement relative thereto about a generally

horizontal first pivot axis from a stowed or upper position to

an extended or lowered position; and

a third component operatively connected to said second

component for movement relative thereto about a generally

horizontal second pivot axis from a stowed or upper position to

an extended or lowered position, said third component including

load transfer means and mounting means for mounting a spare

wheel to said load transfer means:

said second pivot axis being spaced from said first pivot

axis and higher than said first pivot axis when said second

component is in its stowed or upper position on a vehicle and

said second pivot axis being lower than said first pivot axis

when said second component is in its extended or lowered

position; and

securing means for securing said third component in the

stowed or upper position, wherein said securing means is

arranged to secure said third component to said first component

in a manner whereby at least a portion of said load transfer

means is juxtaposed with said load support means of said first

cMIL15222claimsamd17July2O23 component such that the weight of the spare wheel is transferred directly to said load support means by said load transfer means.

4. A wheel carrier for a vehicle, including:

a first component adapted to be secured on or to a vehicle,

said first component including load support means adapted to

support the weight of the spare wheel thereon and securing means

for securing the wheel carrier to the vehicle;

a second component operatively connected to said first

component for movement relative thereto about a generally

horizontal first pivot axis from a stowed or upper position to

an extended or lowered position; and

a third component operatively connected to said second

component for movement relative thereto about a generally

horizontal second pivot axis from a stowed or upper position to

an extended or lowered position, said second pivot axis being

spaced from said first pivot axis and said third component

including mounting means for mounting a spare wheel of the

vehicle thereto;

said securing means of said first component and said

mounting means of said third component being so made and arranged

to hold the hub of the spare wheel in a predetermined position

spaced from the cabin of the vehicle when in the stowed position

with at least a portion of said mounting means resting on said

load support means whereby the weight of the spare wheel is

transferred from the mounting means to the load support means.

5. A wheel carrier including:

a fixed mounting component adapted to be securely mounted

to a vehicle;

cMIL15222claimsamd17July2O23 a first pivotable component pivotally mounted at a proximal end to the fixed mounting portion and having a distal end remote from the proximal end, the pivotal mounting being adapted to allow pivoting of the first pivotable component from a stowed position alongside the vehicle to a deployed position away from the vehicle; and a second pivotable component pivotally mounted to the distal end of the first pivotable component and having a mounting for releasably mounting a vehicle wheel thereto, the pivotal mounting being adapted to allow pivoting of the second pivotable component from a position alongside or adjacent the first pivotable component in the stowed position to a position away from and below the first pivotable component in the deployed position; and wherein said mounting is arranged to directly transfer the weight of the wheel mounted thereto to the fixed mounting component.

6. A wheel carrier according to any one of the preceding claims

wherein the components are so made and arranged that the spare

wheel is held in a substantially vertical orientation when in

the stowed position.

7. A wheel carrier according to any one of the preceding claims

wherein the components are so made and arranged that the wheel

is held in a substantially vertical orientation when the third

component is in the lowered position.

8. A wheel carrier according to any one of the preceding claims

including adjustment means for adjusting the lowered height of

the third component so that the wheel is substantially vertical

when the second component and the third component are in the

lowered position.

cMIL15222claimsamd17July2O23

9. A wheel carrier according to any one of the preceding claims

wherein said first component includes first securing means for

securing the wheel carrier to the vehicle and second securing

means for securing the third component to the first component.

10. A wheel carrier according to claim 9 wherein the first and

second securing means cooperate to the extent that the wheel

weight load on the spare wheel mounting means of the third

component is substantially transferred to the first component.

11. A wheel carrier according to claim 10 wherein the spare

wheel mounting means of the third component includes a metal

plate of a size and shape allowing at least three diagonally

opposite wheel studs to secure the spare wheel thereto and that

the first component include a complementary plate or the like

of at least a similar size to provide for face to face engagement

of the two plates.

12. A wheel carrier according to claim 11 wherein a centre bolt

and nut are provided to secure the third component to the first

component.

13. A wheel carrier according to claim 12 wherein the centre

bolt and nut are provided centrally of the at least three wheel

studs when in the stowed position.

14. A wheel carrier according to any one of the preceding claims

wherein the components are so made and arranged that said second

pivot axis is spaced from said first pivot axis and higher than

said first pivot axis when said second component is in its stowed

or upper position on a vehicle.

15. A wheel carrier according to claim 14 wherein said second

pivot axis is lower than said first pivot axis when said second

component is in the extended or lowered position.

cMIL15222claimsamd17July2O23

16. A wheel carrier according to any one of claims 1, 4 and 5

wherein the components are so made and arranged that when the

second component is in the stowed or upper position it is

juxtaposed with the first component such that the first

component extends further from the vehicle beyond the second

component.

17. A wheel carrier according to any one of the preceding claims

wherein the second component includes a frame having two spaced

apart side members which together straddle at least a portion

of the first component.

18. A wheel carrier according to claim 17 wherein the second

component stands close to the vehicle while the first component

extends through the first component.

19. A wheel carrier according to claim 17 or claim 18 wherein

the third component rests against a portion of the first

component extending through the second component.

20. A wheel carrier according to claim 19 wherein the weight of

the spare wheel is transferred directly to the first component

when in the stowed position and the second component carries

little or none of the weight of the spare wheel.

21. A wheel carrier according to any one of the preceding claims

wherein the third component includes a connecting member or

portion which is arranged to pass between the two spaced apart

frame members of the second component.

22. A wheel carrier according to any one of the preceding claims

including biasing means arranged to bias the second component

towards the stowed or upper position.

cMIL15222claimsamd17July2O23

23. A wheel carrier according to any one of the preceding claims

including biasing means arranged to bias the third component

towards the stowed or upper position.

24. A wheel carrier according to claim 22 or claim 23 wherein

the biasing means includes one or more gas struts which are

arranged to charge as the second and/or third components are

lowered against the bias under the weight of the spare wheel.

25. A wheel carrier according to any one of claims 22 to 24

including two spaced apart gas struts mounted in parallel.

26. A wheel carrier according to claim 25 wherein the second

component includes two spaced apart frame members and said two

gas struts are mounted one on each side of the space with one

end connected to its respective frame member and the other end

of each connected to the first component in the same spaced

apart relationship.

27. A wheel carrier according to any one of the preceding claims

including two spaced apart gas struts arranged to bias the third

component towards the stowed or upper position, the gas struts

also being mounted at one end to the spaced apart frame members

of the second component and to spaced apart mounting points on

the third component.

28. A method of mounting a wheel to a wheel carrier having a

fixed mounting portion fixedly mounted to a vehicle; a first

pivotable portion pivotally mounted at a proximal end to the

fixed mounting portion and having a distal end remote from the

proximal end; and a second pivotable portion pivotally mounted

to the distal end of the first pivotable portion and having a

wheel mounting for mounting the vehicle wheel thereto, the

method including:

cMIL15222claimsamd17July2O23 mounting the wheel to the wheel mount, pivoting the first and second pivotable portions from a deployed position away from the vehicle to a stowed position alongside the vehicle.

29. A rear bumper bar for a vehicle, including:

a first member adapted to extend substantially across the

width of the vehicle, the first member including connecting

means for connecting it to the chassis or subframe of the vehicle

and mounting means for mounting one or two spare wheel carriers

according to any one of claims 1 to 27.

cMIL15222claimsamd17July2O23