Abstract: A cable winding drum is provided with a ring gear having internal gear teeth and external ratchet teeth, and the drum and gear are supported in a housing for rotation in opposite directions about a drum axis to achieve winding and unwinding of a cable relative to the drum. The drum is rotated in opposite directions by an operating mechanism including a crank actuated crank and pinion assembly, a pawl and a pawl actuating lever. The pinion is supported by the housing and engages the internal gear teeth and, during rotation of the crank in the winding direction, the pinion rotates the drum and the pawl engages the ratchet teeth to preclude rotation of the drum in the unwinding direction. Upon rotation of the crank in the unwinding direction during engagement of the pawl with the ratchet teeth, the cam displaces the pawl actuating lever to release the pawl from engagement with the ratchet teeth to release the drum for rotation in the unwinding direction.

Abstract: A tire carrier adapted to be mounted in the trunk of a vehicle which carrier has a wheeled carriage assembly which is adapted to mount a spare tire and which is adapted to move between a stored position and an accessible position in the trunk.

Abstract: The illustrated embodiment which is in the form of a winch (or hoist) comprises a reel including a spool and embodying a portion thereof through which it may be driven for its raising and lowering functions. The reel mounts in bearing relation to a drive shaft between parallel relatively closely spaced side walls of its housing. This embodiment features an overload clutch including a drive plate mounted for rotation with said shaft within said housing. The drive plate nests within a shallow cup-shaped plate firmly and resiliently coupled by springs, parts of which have an interfit relation with portions of the bounding wall. Upon rotation of the shaft the nature and direction thereof is transmitted through the clutch and successive drive transmission elements to the portion of the reel provided for this purpose.

Abstract: An apparatus to aid in loading, holding and unloading a spare tire assembly mounted beneath a vehicle such as a truck. The apparatus includes a winch, an electric motor, coupling structure for operatively coupling the winch and motor, and an electric circuit which allows the motor and winch to be operated only by authorized personnel whereby the spare tire assembly can be safely secured underneath the vehicle.

Abstract: A spare tire handling mechanism is disclosed which is of the character mounted on a vehicle for displacing a spare tire between a stored position beneath the vehicle chassis and an accessible position therebelow and in which the spare tire engages ground and can be pulled out from beneath the vehicle. The spare tire is supported in the stored position by means of a cable having an end with which the tire is releaseably interengaged, and the tire is adapted to be elevated to and lowered from the stored position by means of a rotatable cable drum. The drum has different diameter portions oriented relative to one another for rotation of the drum in the winding direction to wind the cable on the larger diameter portion when there is no or little load on the cable and to wind the cable on the smaller diameter portion when the cable is loaded to elevate the tire from ground to its stored position.

Abstract: A tire carrier includes a mounting frame which can be fixedly attached to the undersurface of a vehicle and a tire receiving frame dimensioned to receive a tire usable on the vehicle. A parallelogram suspension arrangement extends between the mounting frame and the tire receiving frame to permit the tire receiving frame to swing between a storage position in which the tire receiving frame is directly beneath the mounting frame and an extended position in which the tire receiving frame is in a position in which the tire can be extracted or inserted. A latch mechanism is provided as well as an over-center spring mechanism to assist the user in moving the tire receiving frame between positions.

Abstract: A tire securing apparatus includes a cylindrical enclosure (10) closed at one end for receiving a spare tire (26). The enclosure (10) is formed from a flexible material with a rigid plate (36) disposed on a recess (28) on the underside thereof. The spare tire (26) has a rim (32) which rests upon the metal plate (36) about locating lugs (38) and (40). A space (42) is formed between the side walls of the tire (26) and the lower surface thereof. This space is utilized for storage of various items. A cable (14) is attached to an eyebolt (16) and also to a winch (18). The winch (18) is attached to a motor drive package (20) on the underside of the pickup truck bed. A key switch (22) operates the motor drive package (20). Shock absorbing members (46) are disposed about the periphery of the enclosure (10) on the underside of the pickup bed truck to reduce vibrations therebetween.

Abstract: The invention relates to a new and improved tire lift/carrier featuring a reel assembly comprised of a rotatable spool formed of thin metal plates abutted one to the other in a side by side relation, a portion of which plates defines a cavity in which one end of a line is held captive, the other end of which line is adapted to extend to releasably connect to a load which places a tension on this line in use. In the preferred embodiment described the spool has a single track within which the single line in connection with the spool is constrained to wrap directly on itself. The connection of the line to the spool is such that the spool may be rotated in either of opposite directions and in either case the line will wrap smoothly on itself. In the preferred embodiment illustrated the spool has a press fit gear through the medium of which it is driven in either of its opposite directions of rotation.

Abstract: A vehicle undercarriage spare tire carrier having a roll bar secured adjacent the storage position of the tire, a pulley assembly secured on the rear bumper of the vehicle, a lever arm pivotally secured to the rear bumper of the vehicle in spaced relation with respect to the pulley assembly, a bracket removably securable to the wheel of the spare tire, a flexible cable secured between the bracket and the lever arm and passing over the roll bar and around the pulley assembly whereby pivoting of the lever arm in one direction lowers the spare tire from the storage position for releasing of the tire for retrieval thereof, and pivoting of the lever arm in an opposite direction pulls the tire into the storage position thereof, and a latching bracket secured to the rear bumper of the vehicle and engagable by the lever arm for locking the lever arm in the position thereof which locks the tire in the storage position.

Abstract: A vehicle spare tire carrier utilizing a winch for holding the tire against the vehicle underside, wherein the winch employs apparatus for preventing the cable sheave from being rotated in the improper direction for winding the tire supporting cable thereon. Winch stop means sensing the location of the cable relative to the sheave prevents winch rotation upon the cable being fully extended. Also, an embodiment of the tire carrier utilizes a cable guide and extension for remotely locating the winch from the location of tire support.

Abstract: A device for raising and lowering a pickup truck's spare tire characterized by an actuating lever pivotally attached to the truck's rear bumper, and a cable coupling the actuating lever to the truck's spare tire cross strap. The cable is trained over a pair of pulleys so that when the actuating lever is pivoted away from the bumper the spare tire cross strap member pivots to the ground to permit the removal of the spare tire. When the actuating lever is pivoted towards the bumper, the cross strap member pivots back into a horizontal position to raise the spare tire back to its stored position. A locking mechanism is provided so that the actuating lever can be locked to the bumper.

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: An under vehicle carrier for a spare wheel having a tire mounted to a central rim is disclosed and includes an elongated body adapted for mounting to the underside of a vehicle. A first end portion of the body is positioned adjacent to a side or end margins of the vehicle. An arm is pivoted at one end to the first end portion of the body so that it may be raised and lowered. An arm operating assembly, such as a cable and jack screw mechanism, is provided for raising and lowering the arm. Also, a central portion of the rim is releasably coupled to the arm in a manner that maintains the wheel horizontal as it is raised and lowered. As a result, a portion of the wheel is automatically delivered out from underneath the vehicle as the arm is lowered. A spring biasing mechanism urges the arm to a lowered position and maintains the cable taut as it is played out and pulled in. Also, the body defines a compartment within which substantially all of the arm operating assembly is positioned.

Abstract: A vehicle spare tire carrier is disclosed according to the teachings of the present invention for the storage and transportation of a spare tire outside of a vehicle. Specifically, the spare tire carrier in a preferred embodiment includes first and second arms pivotally attached to each other and a vehicle. The spare tire is mounted to the first arm. The carrier can then be pivoted from a first position to a second position in its most preferred form simultaneously with an opening or closure, such as a door, of the vehicle. In the preferred embodiment, the entire weight of the carrier and the spare tire mounted thereto is transferred to the bumper attached to the vehicle frame and not to the vehicle body.

Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed for transporting and storing a spare tire. The spare tire is mounted on a hand dolly which is winched into a secure position beneath the vehicle frame. When the hand dolly carrying the spare tire is lowered and released, it provides a means for transporting the spare tire to and from the vehicle.

Abstract: A tire mounting arrangement allows a spare tire to be stored either inside the rear portion of an automotive vehicle or outside the tailgate door thereof.

Abstract: A vehicle spare tire carrier is disclosed according to the teachings of the present invention for the storage and transportation of a spare tire outside of a vehicle. Specifically, the spare tire carrier includes first and second arms pivotally attached to each other and a vehicle. The spare tire is mounted to the first arm. The carrier can then be pivoted from a first position to a second position simultaneously with an opening or closure, such as a door, of the vehicle. In the preferred embodiment, the entire weight of the carrier and the spare tire mounted thereto is transferred to the bumper attached to the vehicle frame and not to the vehicle body.

Abstract: An adjustable, spare tire mount for a pickup truck that can be quickly installed and removed without requiring either welding or the drilling of holes in the pickup bed. The mount is comprised of a main support structure which carries a latching element which, in turn, has a channel member thereon adapted to receive a flange on the inside of the upper sidewall of the load bed of the pickup. A threaded follower assembly on the main structure cooperates with the latching element to move the channel member into or out of contact with the flange to latch or unlatch the mount to the bed. Slidably mounted on the main support means is the tire securing means which comprises a movable carriage having an adjustable tire mounting means (e.g. telescoping members) mounted thereon. Once the spare tire is positioned on the tire mounting means, a sleeve is positioned thereon and secured thereto by a pin and lock.

Abstract: A vehicle spare tire holder for receiving and securing a spare tire on a wheel. The holder may be operated off of the vehicle's air system. Also, the holder may be mounted vertically behind the vehicle's cab or horizontally underneath a trailer pulled by a vehicle.

Abstract: The roof rack 1 consists of a load carrying part 13 which is movable between a transport position above the roof 5 of a vehicle and a loading position at one side of, or at the rear of, the vehicle. The load carrying part 13 is pivotally mounted 14 to a carriage 9 which is adapted to slide in guides 7, 7' of a support frame 6, 3, 7, 7' which is fixed to the rain channel 4 of the vehicle roof. The movement of the load carrying part between the transport and loading positions is thus a combination of pivotal movement at the hinges 14 and displacement of the carriage 9 in the guides 7, 7'. Further guide members 17 which curve around the edge of the vehicle roof are usefully provided to help control the movement of the load carrying part.

Abstract: A vehicle undercarriage spare tire carrier having a first pulley located adjacent the storage position of the tire, and a second pulley located exterior of the vehicle. A lever arm is pivotally secured to the vehicle and has a cable attached thereto. The cable extends around the pulleys and terminates under the vehicle with a bracket for holding the spare tire.The lever may be pivoted in a first direction for lowering and releasing the spare tire or pivoted in the opposite direction wherein the spare tire is pulled into tight engagement with the vehicle in its storage position. The relative positions of the pivot attachment points and pulleys are such that when the tire is in its storage position, the lever arm is in a safety position to prevent inadvertent release of the spare tire. The bracket for holding the spare tire provides a positive lock to insure against inadvertent loss of the tire when it is in its storage position.

Abstract: A tire and tool carrier for trucks and the like. The carrier is in the form of a box-like support which is supported under the frame of a truck. It is comprised of a stationary box-like base to which is hinged a rear cover or door. The hinge point is to the rear of the mid-point of the tire in order that the tire may be tipped or moved. A floor of the cover has an arcuate tire positioning flange-like rim which serves to position the tire and also provides corner spaces at the rear and side walls of the cover to provide a storage area for tools. The cover provides a security protection to lock the tire and tools in a completely enclosed and restricted area. A spring means is provided as an assist to the cover in closing it from the open position after the tire is removed.

Abstract: Set out herein is a modification to an automobile comprising a plurality of attachment channels deployed either on the interior of a hood or a trunk lid, each attachment channel being conformed to receive a telescoping bar to which a block and tackle may be attached for lifting heavy items like spare tires and the like. The hood or trunk lid may be further modified to include two pivoted braces which may be deployed against serrated supports attached to the automobile body. Thus the hood surface itself becomes part of the lifting structure allowing for convenient withdrawal of heavy items. This lifting structure may be utilized together with a fishnet or canvas sling conformable to various shapes to extend the utility thereof for lifting objects other than the spare tire.

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.