Abstract: A spare tire hoist may be provided. A retention cable may be used to retain a spare tire against a surface of a motor vehicle. A tensioning spring may be used to tension the retention cable when the spare tire is in a storage position. A wheel plate engages the spare tire and cooperates with the retention cable and the tensioning spring to maintain the spare tire in the storage position. The wheel plate may include an insert portion that engages a center aperture of a wheel rim of the spare tire. A flange portion that substantially surrounds the insert portion and engages a peripheral surface of the wheel rim may also be provided. A reinforcement ring may be included in the wheel plate, substantially coextensive with the insert portion and extending within a substantially hollow region of the flange portion. The reinforcement ring may provide mechanical reinforcement to the wheel plate.

Abstract: A system for transporting and storing a portable combination table/ramp device in a truck bed, including a substantially flat platform supported by a plurality of support members positioned between the platform and the truck bed and defining a plurality of elongated recesses therebetween. Elongated table top portion and elongated bench seat portions with tailgate-engaging portions connected thereto are received in the recesses. A plurality of retractable table leg assemblies are connected to the table top portion. A connector is coupled to each respective table leg assembly for connecting the elongated bench seat portion thereto. Each respective table leg assembly is retractable to a storage position substantially adjacent the elongated table top portion and extendable to a deployed position extending between the table top portion and the ground.

Abstract: A vehicle equipped with a lift device, capable of suitably lowering objects that have been placed in a high place to a position at which they can be reached by people, is provided. A link unit is provided on the top of the vehicle. The link unit is comprised of telescoping arms, which are parallel to each other. The link unit is comprised of base arm members, slide arm members, a base link which connects the base arm members, and support links, which are parallel to the base links and which connect the slide arm members. Further, the link unit is comprised of a drive boom, which is swung up and down on the top of the vehicle around a drive shaft, and a follow boom, which is swung, in the same direction as the drive boom, around a support shaft that is parallel to the drive shaft. One base arm member is attached to the leading end of the drive boom, and another base arm member is attached to the leading end of the follow boom.

Abstract: A storage rack connectable to a mounting structure of a vehicle for supporting a load, comprising a load supporting structure, a swing arm 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 swing arm assembly is connected to the load supporting structure, the swing arm assembly being attachable to the mounting structure of the vehicle. 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.

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 trailer hitch mounted recreational equipment carrier for transporting various recreational equipment. The trailer hitch mounted recreational equipment carrier includes a support frame having at least a horizontal member and a vertical member, a first link arm pivotally coupled to the horizontal member, and a second link arm pivotally coupled to the vertical member. The second link arm may be a different length than the first link arm. The recreational equipment carrier also includes a crossbar support frame pivotally coupled to the first and second link arms to provide a pivotal motion geometry that facilitates the crossbar support being pivotally moved from a substantially vertical position to a substantially horizontal position.

Abstract: A carrier for the spare tire of a sport utility vehicle. The carrier includes a pair of additional hinges mounted to the vehicle body just outside the rear gate and an arrangement of leg members that moves in unison with the rear gate as it is opened and closed. The spare tire is mounted on the arrangement of leg members which includes an adjustable leg member which not only helps to properly align the spare tire with the vertical but also can be used to correct or offset any sag that might develop in the rear gate. It can also be used to vary the relative amounts of the tire's weight being supported by the gate including its hinges versus being supported by the body of the vehicle at the hinges for the carrier.

Abstract: A spare tire carrier for securement to an end segment of a vehicle bumper and having a swingable arm for travel about horizontal and vertical axes to relocate a spare tire away from the rear of a vehicle and subsequently downward into ground contact. A bracket on a bumper attached mounting plate pivotally carries an arm actuator including oppositely threaded shafts and a sleeve thereon. A ratchet drive imparts rotational movement to the sleeve in a selected direction to either lift or lower the arm and spare tire thereon in a controlled manner and additionally prevents random vertical movement of the arm during vehicle travel. Locks engageable with the bracket and the arm prevent horizontal and upright travel of the arm when the vehicle is underway. The carrier may include a bracket, attachable to a hitch or vehicle frame, with a base plate at its outer end to support the carrier mounting plate. A modified preferred carrier includes an electrical linear actuator to control the carrier arm.

Abstract: A swing-away spare tire carrier for a motor vehicle includes a cross tube extending transversely for attachment to underside vehicle structure of the motor vehicle and an arm support bracket secured to the cross tube. The swing-away spare tire carrier also includes a carrier arm having a first arm portion pivotally attached to the arm support bracket and a second arm portion pivotally attached to the first arm portion for pivotal movement between a first position adjacent a vehicle body of the motor vehicle and a second position extending substantially laterally from the vehicle body when the second arm portion is moved toward the first arm portion.

Abstract: A spare tire caddy is provided including a mounting assembly adapted for being mounted on an underside of a vehicle. Also included is a tire pod slidably coupled to the mounting assembly for removably receiving a tire therein.

Abstract: An apparatus designed to carry a spare tire against the underside of a vehicle, rearwardly thereof, featuring a mounting plate, for the tire assembly, attached to the first end of a cantilever arm. The second end of the cantilever arm is pivotally attached to a carrier base frame, which in turn is pivotally suspended from support members attached to the vehicle's frame, by four suspension bars. Movement of the base frame is controlled by operation of a driver tube incorporated into the base frame, comprised of a rectangular tube, inside of which are a drive screw, and a rectangular nut. Two cables attached to the nut are directed by pulleys to the center of the back transverse member of the frame, then right and left to the two back corners, thense to a point on each longitudinal member of the frame, then vertically to anchor points on the support members attached to the vehicle's frame. Clockwise rotation of the screw pulls cable into the tube, moving the base frame forward and upward into storage position.

Abstract: An apparatus for mounting a spare tire includes a plurality of hinge plates arranged in a parallel spaced coextensive relationship hingedly mounted to the door hinges of an associated vehicular van door, wherein the hinge plates mount a support bar in an orthogonal relationship, and the support bar includes a pivotal carrier structure arranged for displacement relative to the van door to permit complete opening of the van door in use.

Abstract: An outboard motor stand apparatus (10) for use in a vehicle (100) wherein the apparatus (10) includes a mounting unit (11) secured to the interior of a vehicle (100), a main support unit (12) rotatably connected to the mounting unit (11) and an auxiliary support unit (13) pivotally secured to the main support unit (12). The auxiliary support unit (13) is further provided with a hinged mounting block member (35) adapted to be engaged by the engine mount (201) of an outboard motor (200).

Abstract: A spare wheel carrier includes a spare wheel support member mounting brackets adjacent one end thereof having L-shaped slots. Pivots mounted on the vehicle are engageable with the ends of either legs of the slots to locate the support member different distances from the floor of the vehicle so as to support different thickness spare wheels.

Abstract: A spare tire carrier for use on a motor vehicle. The carrier comprises a swing arm having a spare tire holding a basket attached thereto. The swing arm is pivotally connected to a frame of the motor vehicle by a hinge. The hinge is tilted rearwardly at the top thereof such that gravity urges the swing arm rearwardly. The carrier stows the spare tire under the rear of the pickup bed. A latching mechanism retains the carrier in a stowed position. Upon release of the latching mechanism, the carrier along with the spare tire rotates rearwardly about the hinge and downwardly to a position to the rear of the vehicle allowing the spare tire to be easily removed from the carrier for changing of a flat tire.

Abstract: The present invention constitutes a carrier for maintaining a spare tire to a vehicle, such as a pickup truck so as to be easily accessible, that comprises a lifting arm assembly which is secured to the vehicle bumper or frame and incorporates a screw arrangement therewith. The screw arrangement is turned manually and operates through a linkage to raise or lower a support bar assembly that mounts a platform whereon the spare tire is maintained. The lifting arm assembly can be pivoted to move the platform and tire between a storage area beneath the vehicle frame and to a point beyond the vehicle bumper whereby the tire and platform can serve also as a step for facilitating entry into the back of the truck or into a camper mounted thereon.

Abstract: A spare-wheel carrier is provided for mounting to the underside of a pickup truck adjacent the rear end thereof. The carrier is comprised of an elongated support beam which mounts to the frame of the vehicle in a manner to be disposed parallel to the wheel axles of the vehicle. A cradle frame is suspended from said support beam in a manner such that it can be pivoted downwardly and rotated rearwardly of the vehicle to facilitate easy access. A coil spring counteracts the downward force of the cradle frame. A locking mechanism ensures against unauthorized removal of a tire stored within said cradle frame.