Abstract: A stopping device in a spare wheel holding apparatus in which a spare wheel can be held to a support member by one stationary stopper and one movable stopper. The stationary stopper is mounted on one end of the support member and has a stopping surface in the shape of an inverted "L" adapted to hold the edge of a hole on a disk wheel of the spare wheel. The movable stopper is pivotably mounted on the other end of the support member and is held in an upright position by a spring. The upper part of the movable stopper, which extends above the support member, has a stopping surface in the shape of an inverted "L" adapted to hold the edge of a hole in the disk wheel and can tilt in the opposite direction from the stopping surface. Also, in a second embodiment, both of the stopping surfaces are movable.

Abstract: A spare wheel protecting system, associated with a plurality of spare wheel holding devices each holding a spare wheel under the chassis of a motor vehicle, for preventing any such spare wheel from being stolen, comprises a socket and an interlocking axle which are provided in each such spare wheel holding device and engageable with each other to connect the operating handle and the driving shaft for the winch mechanism of each spare wheel holding device to permit rotation of the operating handle for rotating the driving shaft. Each socket has at least two engaging elements and each interlocking axle has a corresponding number of engaging elements each of which is complementary to a corresponding one of the engaging elements on a corresponding socket.

Abstract: An apparatus for holding a spare wheel under the chassis of a motor vehicle in a horizontally suspended fashion, including a wheel holder supported at its one end on the outer surface of one longitudinal chassis member for both vertical and horizontal rotation to rotate its other end vertically and horizontally. A pin depends from a supporting member on the outer surface of the longitudinal chassis member and is connected to the one end of the wheel holder to permit at least horizontal rotation of the wheel holder. The vertical rotation of the wheel holder is effected by a rotative connective mechanism provided either at the one end of the wheel holder or between the pin and the one end of the wheel holder. A winch mechanism is provided for raising and lowering the other end of the wheel holder. According to one embodiment, the winch mechanism is positioned on the outer surface of the longitudinal chassis member, so that the wheel holder extends in parallel to the longitudinal chassis member for 90.degree.