Abstract: A motor vehicle tire carrier includes a housing having an aperture. A drive shaft is rotatably secured to the housing. A spool is positioned in the housing and is rotatably driven by the drive shaft. A flexible elongate member has a first end secured to the spool, is wound about the spool, and extends through the aperture in the housing. A wheel plate is secured to a second end of the elongate member and is configured to support a motor vehicle tire. A crash plate is secured to the housing and has an aperture through which the elongate member extends, with the housing being secured to the crash plate. A guide member on the crash plate has an arcuate surface about which the elongate member will bend when the tire carrier is subject to a lateral force.

Abstract: A tire carrier assembly for storing a spare tire on a vehicle which includes a carrier adapted for supporting the spare tire and a winch operatively connected to the carrier to raise and lower the carrier between a stowed position wherein the carrier is inaccessible and a deployed position wherein the carrier is accessible. The winch has a flexible member secured to the carrier and one of an electric motor and a manual device which selectively raises and lowers the carrier between the stowed and deployed positions. A sensor is activated when the carrier is in the stowed position. A warning indicator is operably connected to the sensor so that the warning indicator is activated and provides the operator with a warning when the carrier is out of the stowed position and the sensor is not activated.

Abstract: A motor vehicle tire carrier includes a housing having an aperture. A drive shaft is rotatably secured to the housing. A spool is positioned in the housing and is rotatably driven by the drive shaft. A flexible elongate member has a first end secured to the spool, is wound about the spool, and extends through the aperture in the housing. A wheel plate is secured to a second end of the elongate member and is configured to support a motor vehicle tire. A crash plate is secured to the housing and has an aperture through which the elongate member extends, with the housing being secured to the crash plate. A guide member on the crash plate has an arcuate surface about which the elongate member will bend when the tire carrier is subject to a lateral force.

Abstract: A tire carrier assembly for storing a spare tire on a vehicle which includes a carrier adapted for supporting the spare tire and a winch operatively connected to the carrier to raise and lower the carrier between a stowed position wherein the carrier is inaccessible and a deployed position wherein the carrier is accessible. The winch has a flexible member secured to the carrier and one of an electric motor and a manual device which selectively raises and lowers the carrier between the stowed and deployed positions. A sensor is activated when the carrier is in the stowed position. A warning indicator is operably connected to the sensor so that the warning indicator is activated and provides the operator with a warning when the carrier is out of the stowed position and the sensor is not activated.