Abstract: A carrying system for a SUV hardtop, which includes a carrier that allows the hardtop and doors to be detached from the vehicle but still kept with the vehicle while removed. The carrying system allows for easy attachment and securing of the hardtop and doors to the carrier. In some exemplary embodiments, the carrier attaches to the hitch and to the rear-mounted spare tire carrier of the SUV. In other exemplary embodiments, the carrier attaches to the vehicle only at the hitch. Conveying the doors and hardtop with the SUV allows the SUV, at any time and in any place, to be converted quickly between convertible and non-convertible modes, depending on weather conditions and other factors.

Abstract: A spare tire carrier is provided. The spare tire carrier includes a mounting assembly and a support assembly that cooperate to carry a spare tire. The mounting assembly is configured for releaseably connecting the spare tire carrier to a vehicle. The support assembly is configured for supporting the spare tire regardless of whether the spare tire has a rim or is rimless. The spare tire carrier may also include a hinged bracket that allows the spare tire carrier to be placed in a down position to allow the driver to access engine components.

Abstract: Helmet mount apparatus provides a secure helmet holder for mounting a fireman helmet in a fire truck or other emergency vehicle. Three brim brackets, one of which is slidable on a base plate against a spring bias force, clamp the brim of the helmet between the brim brackets. The helmet can be mounted by positioning the brim into the slidable brim bracket and sliding the brim bracket far enough to allow inserting the brim also into the other two brim brackets, and then releasing the helmet to allow the spring bias to clamp the helmet onto the mount apparatus.

Abstract: A receptacle for attachment to a rim is disclosed, being primarily used to store wheel lug nuts into said receptacle for storage and transportation of lug nuts with their associated wheels. The receptacle comprises a lid, a container and a securing pin. The container secures the wheel lug nuts, while the lid fastens onto the container to secure its contents, and meanwhile the securing pin secures the lid onto the container and ultimately onto the rim of the wheel, such that the wheel lug nuts are easily stored with the rim. This procedure is primarily performed before the winter or summer seasons, or when the wheels are changed for wheel leasing purposes or the transportation of wheels with their associated lug nuts, to ensure that the wheel lug nuts are never misplaced or lost.

Abstract: A storage panel assembly for a vehicle includes a panel having louvered exterior and internal surfaces. A vent structure is formed on a portion of the panel. At least one lug nut retention assembly is formed on the portion of the panel including the vent structure. The exterior louvered surface of the panel remains unblemished.

Abstract: A spare tire carrier for a vehicle may structurally entail a base, a mounting flange extending from the base, a vertical support post extending from the base, a light support post attached to the vertical support post, a threaded stud that engages a front surface of the base to support a spare tire. A tether, which may be secured to the base with a fastener, may lie largely concealed within the base and have additional studs or bolts which may protrude through a front surface of the base and further support a spare tire. A plurality of strength ribs may join the mounting flange and the base, while the base, the first mounting flange, vertical support post extending from the base, and plurality of strength ribs may be a single cast magnesium part. The tether may be of another high strength material.

Abstract: Embodiments of a removable tire carrier are disclosed which may be removably affixed to the receiver of a conventional trailer hitch on a conventional vehicle. The tire carrier may be rotated in the plane of the rear of the vehicle such that a portion of the tire carrier touches the ground. A flat or otherwise damaged tire may then be rolled onto the tire carrier and secured to the tire carrier. The tire carrier may be rotated back into position for transporting the tire.

Abstract: An aerodynamic spare tire cover system is provided for use with a spare tire stored on a vehicle underbody. The cover system can be used to cover a full sized spare tire or a temporary spare tire, while providing the same aerodynamic qualities. The cover system includes an annular spare tire cover defining a central aperture, a removable center cap for selectively covering the central aperture, a center spacer supported by the annular spare tire cover that is adjustable between a first position and a second position depending on whether a full sized spare or temporary spare is being covered, and removable spacers supported by the annular spare tire cover. A full sized spare tire and the center spacer in the first position space the spare tire cover the same distance from a position on the vehicle underbody, on the opposite side of the spare tire, as a temporary spare tire, and the center spacer in the second position.

Abstract: A rotatable strap arrangement for a load carrier of a transporting vehicle. The load carrier includes an elongate tray with a rotation mechanism coupled thereto, the rotation mechanism permitting rotation relative to the elongate tray. The rotatable strap arrangement has a strap coupled to the rotation mechanism, the strap operable for securing an object to the elongate tray. The rotatable strap arrangement further includes a strap receiving mechanism coupled to the rotation mechanism, the strap receiving mechanism operable for receiving the strap.

Abstract: A vehicle-mounted wheel repair platform includes a vehicle connection assembly, a wheel repair platform assembly, and a wheel securing assembly. The vehicle connection assembly includes a horizontal section having a vehicle attachment port for coupling to a vehicle, and a vertical section connected to the horizontal section. The platform assembly includes a vertically-oriented section configured to engage the vertical section of the vehicle connection assembly, and a wheel platform connected to the vertically-oriented section. The wheel securing assembly is coupled to the wheel platform and operable to secure a wheel to the top surface of the wheel platform.

Abstract: A storage rack connectable to a mounting structure of a vehicle for supporting a load, comprising a load supporting structure, a bracket assembly, and a lift assembly. The load supporting structure is adapted to support the load when the load is associated with the load supporting structure. The bracket assembly is connected to the load supporting structure, the bracket assembly being attachable to the mounting structure. The lift assembly is associated with the load supporting structure for facilitating lifting of the load to the load supporting structure whereby the load can be supported by the load supporting structure and thus the vehicle when the bracket assembly connects the load supporting structure to the mounting structure of the vehicle.

Abstract: A lug wrench and spare tire locking assembly that is attached to a motor vehicle or trailer which includes a hollow wrench carrier body (20) having four open-ended slots (22) at right angles to each other that are configured to interface with a four-way lug-wrench (56). The body has a pair of opposed short legs (24) formed between two adjacent slots, and another pair of opposed long legs (26) formed between each remaining slot. The body also includes a shackle lock pin (28) that extends beyond the legs. A slotted flange (38) is joined to a vehicle bracket (44) and threaded shaft (36) connects the body to the flange. A spare wheel is fastened to the vehicle bracket on top of the flange and a four-way lug-wrench (56) is placed over the wheel interfacing with the slots in the body.

Abstract: A rotatable strap arrangement for a load carrier of a transporting vehicle, the load carrier including an elongate tray, including a rotation mechanism coupled to the elongate tray, the rotation mechanism permitting rotation relative to the elongate tray. The rotatable strap arrangement also including a strap coupled to the rotation mechanism, the strap operable for securing an object to the elongate tray. The rotatable strap arrangement further including a strap receiving mechanism coupled to the rotation mechanism, the strap receiving mechanism operable for receiving the strap.

Abstract: A spare tire lock and lug wrench placement device designed to be attached to a motor vehicle or trailer. The device includes a hollow wrench carrier body (20) having an extended shackle lock pin (24) with the body removably connected to a round threaded shaft (32). The shaft attaches to a slotted flange assembly (34) which in turn mounts directly to a spare wheel carrier (40) to accommodate various widths of spare tires. A shackle-less padlock (64) is permanently mounted in a locking cover (60) that slips over the body and captivates a four way lug wrench (54) using open ended slots (22) and (62) in the body and cover. The wrench is locked in place on the outside of the wheel and a emblem plate (56) covers the body and padlock which prevents theft of both the tire and wrench. A second embodiment replaces the locking cover with a conventional lock (70), having the U-shaped shackle permanently installed in a round body, (66) eliminating the use of a cover or emblem plate while functioning in the same manner.

Abstract: A jack storage assembly is provided for use in conjunction with an automotive vehicle having a wheel well for storage of a spare tire and in which the wheel well includes a bracket over which the spare tire is positioned. The assembly includes a bucket which is adapted to contain a jack, and the bucket is detachably secured to the bracket so that the spare tire is sandwiched in between the bucket and the wheel well. The cover is then positioned over the spare tire while a fastener is detachably secured to the bucket such that the cover is sandwiched in between the fastener and the bucket.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a removal aid for a spare wheel of a motor vehicle having at least one strap which, at one end, is fastened to a vehicle body section, extends from there under the spare wheel and beyond it and can be braced at the other end with another vehicle body section, a spare wheel receiving device being slidably constructed with respect to the strap.

Abstract: A four way lug wrench carrier attached to a motor vehicle or trailer which includes a hollow wrench carrier body (20) having an extended shackle lock pin (24) with the body connected to a round shaft (32). The shaft has an adjustable flanged sleeve (36) that connects directly to a spare wheel carrier (40) to accommodate various widths of spare tires. Securement means in the form of a flat washer (46) is held in place on the end of the shaft thus providing secondary protection for the carrier. A shackle-less padlock (64) is permanently mounted in a locking cover (60) that slips over the body and captivates a four way lug wrench (54) using open ended slots (22) and (62) in the body and cover. The wrench is locked in place on the outside of the wheel to prevent theft of both the tire/wheel and wrench.

Abstract: A device for fixing a flat tire (30) in an automobile which has an accommodating space (5) behind a bucket seat (1) in which the bucket seat is accommodated which has been folded, comprises: a flat tire fixing threaded member (34); a vehicle body screw hole (20) which is located near the front edge of the accommodating space (5), and is threadably engaged with the threaded member (34); and a bracket (40) which has a first screw hole (42) which is threadably engaged with the vehicle body screw hole (20), and a second screw hole (44a) with which the flat tire fixing threaded member (34) is threadably engaged. In the case where the bucket seat is folded and accommodated, with the vehicle body screw hole 20 set in alignment with one of the bolt holes of the flat tire (30) the latter (30) is fixedly secured to the vehicle body screw hole (20) by means of the threaded member (34).