Abstract: A bracket and/or hinge assembly is disclosed, for a vehicle. In various embodiments, the vehicle may be a wheeled vehicle. The hinge and/or bracket assembly may be used to assist in holding a selected spare wheel assembly for the wheeled vehicle.

Abstract: An accessory rack for a vehicle couples to the hitch receiver of a vehicle to carry accessories on the vehicle. The accessory rack includes a base rack, a hitch coupling assembly, a first swing arm assembly and a second swing arm assembly. The first and second swing arm assemblies are hingedly and removably coupled to the base rack. The first and second swing arm assemblies swing out from the center of the base rack using hinges at the outer ends of the base rack. The first and the second swing arm assemblies carry accessory racks for different types of accessories. The base rack is coupled to the hitch coupling assembly. The hitch coupling assembly couples the base rack and the first and second swing arm assemblies to the hitch receiver of the vehicle.

Abstract: A vehicle recovery or anchoring system is provided including a winch coupled to a vehicle, a cable retractably disposed in the winch, a selectively removable dual use vehicle component and anchoring structure (DUVCAC), e.g., a spare tire, and a retaining structure that is configured to retract and hold the DUVCAC or extend the same based on operation of the winch. The cable is adapted to selectively couple and decouple with the retaining structure, wherein the cable is passed through a section of the DUVCAC and be drawn against the vehicle and/or winch. Different types of retaining structures are provided including retaining structures that are formed with additional anchoring elements, e.g., folding spades, as well as different structures, e.g., cable sections or loops, to couple with the DUVCAC. Different cable configurations as well as coupling arrangements are also provided. Various methods are also provided.

Abstract: A spare wheel carrier for a vehicle includes a wheel frame having an upright axis, a rotary bearing, and multiple surface-mountable linear slides. The wheel frame includes a hub and multiple outboard generally planar wheel-bearing wheel faces. The wheel faces have circumferentially-spaced respective inclined orientations whereby the wheel faces are inclined towards one another in a converging relationship, and each wheel face is configured to support a spare wheel on its side in its inclined orientation. The rotary bearing is configured to support the wheel frame, by its hub, for axial rotation. The linear slides, on the other hand, are configured to carry a bridge between them, and support the rotary bearing, and the wheel frame, via the rotary bearing, on the bridge for radial movement.

Abstract: An apparatus for plugging a bore of a tube sheet, the apparatus includes cantilevered members that project radially outward from a body on the inner surface of the tube sheet. Slots can be drilled into a tube the projects into the bore and the cantilevered members set into the slots. The cantilevered members can slide radially outward from within the body, or can be pivotingly attached on an end of the body. One end of a bolt threadingly attaches to the body, and attaches on its other end to a nut circumscribing the tube sheet bore on its outer surface. A deformable collar circumscribes the bolt between the body and nut and provides a seal within the tube sheet bore. The apparatus can also be used to plug bores that do not include tubes.

Abstract: A wheelchair mount for spare tires including an elongated bracket adapted for securement to a rear surface of a backrest of the wheelchair. A pair of support rods is secured to and extend outwardly from the elongated bracket. The pair of support rods includes an upper rod and a lower rod disposed in a spaced relationship. The upper rod serves to hold a front wheel of the wheelchair. The lower rod serves to hold a rear wheel of the wheelchair.

Abstract: A wheelchair mount for spare tires including an elongated bracket adapted for securement to a rear surface of a backrest of the wheelchair. A pair of support rods is secured to and extend outwardly from the elongated bracket. The pair of support rods includes an upper rod and a lower rod disposed in a spaced relationship. The upper rod serves to hold a front wheel of the wheelchair. The lower rod serves to hold a rear wheel of the wheelchair.