GB2337237A

GB2337237A - Vehicle spare wheel carrier

Info

Publication number: GB2337237A
Application number: GB9910630A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Simon Geoffrey Shale; Jason Peter Hughes
Original assignee: MG Rover Group Ltd
Current assignee: MG Rover Group Ltd
Priority date: 1998-05-13
Filing date: 1999-05-10
Publication date: 1999-11-17
Anticipated expiration: 2019-05-10
Also published as: GB9910630D0; GB2337237B; GB9810117D0

Abstract

A vehicle spare wheel carrier, comprises a first framework 8,9 adapted to pivot about a first substantially horizontal axis at one end, connected to a second framework 14,15 adapted to pivot about a second substantially horizontal axis at a free end of the first framework. The second framework includes means 12 to fasten a spare wheel 2 to the second framework. The carrier allows for a controlled deployment of the spare wheel from a storage position.

Description

2337237 VEHICLE SPARE WHEEL CARRIER The present invention relates to a

vehicle spare wheel carrier, for the storage and deployment of a spare wheel for a vehicle.

It is known to locate the spare wheel carrier of a vehicle in a variety of locations, for example from a bumper or from a vehicle body panel. However, known spare wheel carriers 5 suffer from a number of disadvantages.

It is known to provide a spare wheel carrier in the form of a swing out mounting bracket. Such a bracket is secured in a first storage position to locate the spare wheel in position. The bracket can be unfastened and then moved through a horizontal plane to a second position in which the spare wheel may be removed from the carrier. Such an arrangement has a disadvantage that the spare wheel is still located relatively highly above the ground. Since the spare wheel is heavy and unwieldy, there is a risk that a user may suffer injury in manhandling the spare wheel to and from the carrier. This is clearly undesirable.

To prevent this, swing down carriers are known in which the spare wheel carrier pivots about a horizontal region to move the spare wheel from a storage position adjacent the vehicle to a deployment position in which the spare wheel is in contact with the ground. This arrangement has a disadvantage that since the spare wheel is heavy, the carrier may pivot at speed and present a risk of injury to the user. In addition, the carrier will pivot about a height that will depend upon the loading of the vehicle, and upon heavy loading of the vehicle, the spare wheel will not be deployed to sit flush with the ground. It is an aim of the present invention to provide an improved arrangement for supporting and deploying a spare wheel.

According to the present invention there is provided a spare wheel carrier for mounting on a vehicle comprises a frame for securing in use the carrier to- the vehicle, a first framework having first and second ends and a second framework including mounting means to releasably secure a spare wheel, in which the first framework is adapted to,.pi-oi.ab6ut a :1 first substantially horizontal axis at the first end, and the second framework is adapted to pivot about a second substantially horizontal axis at the second end of the first framework.

This arrangement has the advantage that the weight of the spare wheel acts to maintain an outer region of the spare wheel in a horizontal position with respect to the ground surface.

That is, the spare wheel is moved between a first substantially vertical stored position and a second substantially vertical deployed position without being flipped over.

Preferably, means are provided to control the movement of the second framework with respect to the first framework. More preferably, the control means comprises a gas strut.

Preferably, the second framework is shaped to abut the spare wheel.

Preferably, the first framework comprises first and second struts, connected by a rotatable bar. Additionally, the second framework preferably comprises first and second members fixedly connected to the rotatable bar, the mounting means being secured to the first and second members.

Alternatively, the first and second struts are connected by a fixed bar. Additionally, the second framework preferably comprises first and second members rotatably connected to the fixed bar, the mounting means being secured to the first and second members.

Preferably, the first end of the first framework is connected to a rotatable shaft. Ile rotation of the shaft may be controlled, for example by the use of a clutch or other suitable means.

Ile invention will now be described by way of example only, by reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 shows a spare wheel carrier according to a first embodiment. of the present invention in a storage position; Figure 2 shows the spare wheel carrier of Figure 1 in a deployed position; and Figure 3 shows a spare wheel carrier according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

Referring first to Figure 1, there is shown, in part section, a rear portion 1 of a vehicle on which is secured a spare wheel 2 by way of a spare wheel carrier 3 according to the present invention. The spare wheel is shown only in dashed lines for reasons of clarity.

The spare wheel carrier 3 is fastened to a frame 4 secured to the rear portion of the vehicle. The frame may be secured by rivets or any other suitable means.

The spare wheel carrier primarily comprises a first outer framework and a second inner framework. The first outer framework 6 comprises first and second struts 8, 9 which preferably run substantially parallel to one another, and are adapted to pivot together about a lower portion 5 of the frame. These struts are joined to one another by a transverse bar 10. The second inner framework is arranged to pivot about the transverse bar 10 between the first and second struts of the first outer framework. A second transverse bar 11 in the form of a crossbeam is present to provide additional strength to the first framework.

The second inner framework 7 comprises a mounting plate 12 secured between first and second members 14, 15. The mounting plate may be secured to the second framework by welding, riveting or any other suitable means. A further member 13 connects the first and second members near the region about which the second framework pivots. The further member 13 acts to provide additional strength to the second framework. The first and second members are adapted to pivot together about the transverse bar. The mounting plate 12 is provided widi means for the convenient mounting of the spare wheel. Such means may, for example, comprise a nut and bolt arrangement for securing the spare wheel by way of mounting holes in a hub of the spare wheel.

Fastener means (not shown) such as clips may be provided to keep the first outer framework in the storage position shown in Figure 1. To deploy the spare wheel, a user releases the fastener means to allow the outer framework 6 to pivot about the lower portion 5 of the frame. As the outer framework moves, the weight of the spare wheel 2 will cause the second inner framework 7 to pivot about the transverse bar 10 to present the spare wheel in the deployed position shown in Figure 2. The wheel can now be removed from the mounting plate by the user.

An extendible biasing member can be connected between the first and second frameworks to prevent the spare wheel from swinging out in an uncontrolled manner, and to allow the mounting plate to be in a substantially static position when the spare wheel is to be removed from the mounting plate. In the embodiment illustrated in Figures 1 and 2, the biasing member takes the form of a gas strut 16.

Referring now to Figure 3, there is shown a second embodiment of the present invention. A frame 20 is adapted to be secured to a vehicle (not shown). A rotatable shaft 21 is located in a lower portion 22 of the frame. In the embodiment shown, the rotatable shaft 21 is supported through and by bearings (not shown) held within the frame 20. The bearings may conveniently be notched or otherwise adapted to support the rotary motion of the shaft 21. The spare wheel carrier comprises a first outer framework 24 and a second inner framework 25.

The first outer framework comprises a first strut 26 and a second strut 27. Each strut is Joined at a first end to the rotatable shaft 21 for rotation therewith. A transverse bar 28 extends between a second end of each of the struts.

The second inner framework comprises a first member 30, a second member 31 and a mounting plate 32. The mounting plate 32 is connected to the first member 31 and the second member 32. A transverse member also connects the first and second members. In the illustrated embodiment the second inner framework 25 comprises a substantially U-shaped body to which the mounting plate 32 is attached. The free ends of the U-shaped body are adapted to rotate about the transverse bar 28 of the first framework 24. In the illustrated embodiment the transverse bar is fixedly connected to the first and second struts.

In an alternative embodiment (not shown) the transverse bar may be connected for rotation in the ends of the first and second struts and the first and second members of the second framework may be fixedly attached to the transverse bar for rotation therewith., Means 33 are provided to control the rotation of the shaft 21. For example, a clutch mechanism may be used or a wound spring or a ratchet mechanism. This allows for the controlled rotation of the shaft and thus the controlled deployment and storage of the spare wheel.

In an alternative embodiment (not shown) the shaft may not extend between the first and second struts of the first framework.

Each portion of either the first or the second framework may conveniently be formed from tubular materials. It will be understood that other suitable materials may be used.

Claims

-CLAIMS

1. A spare wheel carrier for mounting on a vehicle comprises a frame for securing in use the carrier to the vehicle, a first framework having first and second ends and a second framework including mounting means to releasably secure a spare wheel, in which the first framework is adapted to pivot about a first substantially horizontal axis at the first end, and the second framework is adapted to pivot about a second substantially horizontal axis at the second end of the first framework.

2. A carrier according to Claim 1, characterised in that means are provided to control the movement of the second framework with respect to the first framework.

3. A carrier according to Claim 2, characterised in that the control means comprises a gas strut.

4. A carrier according to any previous claim, characterised in that the second framework is shaped to abut the spare wheel.

5. A carrier according to any previous claim, characterised in that the first framework comprises first and second struts, connected by a rotatable bar.

6. A carrier according to Claim 5, characterised in that the second framework comprises first and second members fixedly connected to the rotatable bar, the mounting means being secured to the first and second members.

7. A carrier according to any of Claims 1 to 4, characterised in that the first and second struts are connected by a fixed bar.

8. A carrier according to Claim 7, characterised in that the second framework comprises first and second members rotatably connected to the fixed bar, the mounting means being secured to the first and second members.

9. A carrier according to any previous claim, characterised in that the first end of the first framework is connected to a rotatable shaft.

10. A carrier according to Claim 9, characterised in that rotation of the shaft is controlled.

11 - A spare wheel carrier for mounting on a vehicle substantially as described herein with reference to and as illustrated in Figures 1 and 2 of the accompanying drawings.

12. A spare wheel carrier for mounting on a vehicle substantially as described herein with reference to and as illustrated in Figure 3 of the accompanying drawings.