DESC:FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[001] The present invention relates to an assembly for mounting a spare wheel cover. More particularly, the present invention relates to an assembly for mounting a spare wheel along with a spare wheel cover to an underbody of a vehicle.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[002] In recent years, vehicle technology has made remarkable strides in optimizing interior as well as exterior of the vehicles in terms of space utilization, thereby enhancing more comfort, functionality, and utility for passengers and/or driver of the vehicle. In order to have more interior storage/ utility space, exterior space being available underbody side of the vehicle is utilized by storing the spare wheel thereof.
[003] In existing vehicles, for mounting the spare wheel on the underbody of the vehicle, a winch assembly is used which keeps the spare wheel in locked position with respect to the underbody of the vehicle. It has been observed that while the vehicle is in running condition, the spare wheel is subjected to external environmental factors including the water splash, mud, dirt particles etc., which may cause damage to the spare wheel. Further, it has also been observed that the spare wheel is subjected to fluid forces passing under the vehicle which get obstructed by the surface of the spare wheel and results in an increased drag coefficient. Such increased drag coefficient impacts the vehicle efficiency and stability. To overcome these problems, a spare wheel cover is essentially required to cover the spare wheel. However, due to existing configuration, the winch assemblies have limitations in effectively mounting the spare wheel cover on the spare wheel and require additional mounting components/devices such as mounting brackets, adaptors, mechanical linkages etc., which is undesirable. Such additional mounting components have disadvantages of increased weight of the vehicle and are inconvenient and tedious in use or operation. In operation, such additional mounting components require connection and/or removal from the part of winch assembly to which it is attached prior to mounting/removing the spare wheel and thus makes the process to be an exhaustive and cumbersome.
[004] In view of the foregoing, there is a need for an improved winch assembly which may overcome at least one of the aforementioned problems or drawbacks associated with the prior art.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[005] Accordingly, the present invention in one aspect provides an assembly for mounting a spare wheel cover for a vehicle. The assembly includes a winch mechanism, a first retainer member and a second retainer remember. The winch mechanism is mounted on the vehicle and is attached to a spare wheel. The winch mechanism includes a winch cable. The winch cable is attached to a spare wheel to raise or lower the spare wheel in a vehicle height direction. The first retainer remember is coupled to the winch cable for mounting the spare wheel on an underbody of the vehicle. The first retainer member is having a trough hole for allowing the winch cable to pass through. The second retainer member is attached to a terminal end of the winch cable passing through the first retainer member. The second retainer member is adapted to mount the spare wheel cover.
[006] In an embodiment of the invention, the second retainer member includes a boss member and a support member. The boss member extends perpendicularly away from the support member. The boss member is configured to receive the terminal end of the winch cable. The support member is configured to receive a fastening means for mounting the spare wheel cover.
[007] In an embodiment of the invention, the boss member is configured to be crimped on to the winch cable.
[008] In yet another embodiment of the invention, the support member includes an internal threaded recess. The internal threaded recess is adapted to receive the fastening means.
[009] In yet another embodiment of the invention, the spare wheel cover having a mounting recess. The mounting recess is adapted to allow the fastening means to pass through and mount the spare wheel cover to the support member of the second retainer member.
[010] In yet another embodiment of the invention, the assembly includes a stopper element and a spring element. The stopper element is disposed between the first retainer member and the second retainer member. The stopper element has an engagement portion. The spring element extending between a bottom side of the first retainer member and the engagement portion of the stopper element.
[011] In yet another embodiment of the invention, the assembly includes an isolating member. The isolating member is configured to be received inside through the through-hole of the first retainer member.
[012] In yet another embodiment of the invention, the assembly includes a bracket mounted on the vehicle. The bracket is configured to guide the winch cable to operate the spare wheel cover.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[013] Reference will be made to embodiments of the invention, examples of which may be illustrated in accompanying figures. These figures are intended to be illustrative, not limiting. Although the invention is generally described in context of these embodiments, it should be understood that it is not intended to limit the scope of the invention to these particular embodiments.
Figure 1 shows an exploded view of an assembly for mounting a spare wheel cover in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 2 illustrates the mounting configuration of a second retainer member with respect to the first retainer member of the assembly, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 3 illustrates the mounting configuration of the spare wheel on the first retainer member of the assembly, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 4 is a cross-section view illustrating the mounting configuration of a spare wheel with the spare wheel cover using the assembly, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 5 is a rear perspective view of a vehicle illustrating the configuration of the spare wheel cover on the spare wheel of a vehicle, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[014] The present invention is directed towards an assembly for mounting a spare wheel cover to an underbody of a vehicle, whereby the assembly enables mounting of a spare wheel along with the spare wheel cover. The assembly is designed to be light-weight and provide easy loading and unloading of the spare wheel as well as the spare wheel cover.
[015] Figure 1 illustrates an exploded view of an assembly 100 for mounting a spare wheel cover 220 in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. The spare wheel cover 220 is for covering a spare wheel 200 mounted to an underbody of a vehicle 10 (shown in figure 5). Accordingly, the spare wheel cover 220 when adapted to the underbody of the vehicle 10 overcomes disadvantages of the prior art discussed hereinbefore.
[016] As shown in figure 1, the assembly 100 includes a winch mechanism 110 having a winch cable 120, a bracket 130, a first retainer member 140, a spring element (S), a stopper element 150 and a second retainer member 160. The winch mechanism 110 is mounted on the vehicle 10. The winch cable 120 is attached to the spare wheel 200 to raise or lower the spare wheel 200 in a vehicle height direction. The bracket 130 is mounted on the vehicle 10 and is configured to guide the winch cable 120 to operate the spare wheel cover 220.
[017] In an embodiment of the invention, the first retainer member 140 enables mounting of the spare wheel 200, and the second retainer member 160 enables mounting of the spare wheel cover 220. In this regard, the spare wheel 200 includes a rim 210. The rim 210 having a spigot hole or a mounting hole 215. The first retainer member 140 being configured to pass through the mounting hole 215 and engage with the mounting hole 215 for holding, pulling, and mounting the spare wheel 200 to the underbody of the vehicle 10. Further, the spare wheel cover 220 has a recess 225, and the second retainer member 160 allows the spare wheel cover 220 to be mounted thereon.
[018] The winch mechanism 110 comprises a casing 112 enclosing a drum, and a handle/shaft 114 interconnected with the drum. The winch cable 120 is wound on the drum and rotation of the drum winds and unwinds the winch cable 120. The handle/shaft 114 can be rotated manually or through an operating tool or through a driving motor. In an embodiment, the casing 112 of the winch mechanism 110 is configured to be rigidly attached to a floor panel or a side panel of the vehicle 10 through the plurality of attachment means 116. The winch cable 120 extends from the drum until a terminal end. The winch cable 120 passes to an underside of the vehicle 10 through the bracket 130. The bracket 130 is configured to be attached to the underbody of the vehicle 10.
[019] The bracket 130 includes a housing having a first opening 134, a translatory pulley or roller arrangement (not shown), and a second opening 136. The winch cable 120 passes over the translatory pulley or the roller arrangement of the winch bracket 130 through the first opening 134 and the second opening 136. Alternately, the bracket 130 can be configured/customized depending on configuration of underbody of the vehicle 10.
[020] Figure 2 illustrates the mounting configuration of the second retainer member 160 with respect to the first retainer member 140 of the assembly 100, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. As shown, the first retainer member 140 includes a through-hole and one or more retaining portions 141a, 141b. The through-hole of the first retainer member 140 receives the winch cable 120 and allows the winch cable 120 to pass through. The retaining portions 141a, 141b of the first retainer member 140 extend outwards such that overall width of the first retainer member 140, when taken along a horizontal plane, is larger than a diameter of the spigot hole or the mounting hole 215 of the spare wheel 200. As shown, the spigot/mounting hole 215 is provided at the centre of the rim 210. Accordingly, when the winch mechanism 110 is operated, the retainer portions 141a, 141b of the first retainer member 140 will extend around the spigot/mounting hole 215 of the rim 210 and will engage/support the rim 210 of the spare wheel 200. Further, the assembly 100 includes a spring element (S) and the stopper element 150 through which the terminal end of the winch cable 120 is passed through. The stopper element 150 is disposed between the first retainer member 140 and the second retainer member 160. The stopper element 150 has an engagement portion 150a. The spring element (S) extends between the bottom side of the body of the first retainer member 140 and the engagement portion 150a of the stopper element 150. The spring element (S) is configured to provide a tightening force when the spare wheel 200 is tightened with respect to the underbody of the vehicle 10. Further, the through-hole of the first retainer member 140 is configured to concentrically receive an isolating member (R) having a recess to allow the winch cable 120 to pass through. The isolating member (R) is made of a rubber-like material and is configured to avoid the direct contact between the first retainer member 140 and the winch cable 120. The mounting assembly 100 includes a washer element (not shown) configured to contact with a bottom side of the body of the first retainer member 140.
[021] In an embodiment, the second retainer member 160 includes a boss member 161 and a support member 165. The boss member 161 extends perpendicularly away from the support member 165. The boss member 161 has an attachment portion 161a which is configured to receive the terminal end of the winch cable 120, and the support member 165 is configured to receive the fastening means 170. The attachment portion 161a of the boss member 161 as shown has a cylindrical profile with at least one opening at its top configured to receive the terminal end of the winch cable 120. The attachment portion 161a is bent or crimped on to the winch cable 120 to hold the winch cable 120.
[022] Further, as shown in the figure 2, the support member 165 of the second retainer member 160 has an internal threaded recess 168 to receive the fastening means 170. Accordingly, the internal threaded recess 168 will have threads configured to allow the fastening means 170 to be adapted thereon. The support member 165 receives the fastening means 170 to mount the spare wheel cover 220. The support member 165 engages and supports the spare wheel cover 220.
[023] In an embodiment, the support member 165 is integrally formed i.e., the boss member 161 and the support member 165 collectively form a single unit.
[024] In an embodiment, the spare wheel cover 220 includes the mounting recess 225 (shown in Figure 1) through which the fastening means 170 passes and fasten the spare wheel cover 220 with the support member 165 of the second retainer member 160.
[025] In a non-limiting example, the first and the second retainer member 140, 160 are made of metal or like material.
[026] In operation, the winch cable 120 along with the first and second retaining members 140, 160 is rotated vertically to pass through spigot/mounting hole 215 of the spare wheel 200. Further, the second retaining member 160 is matched/aligned with the mounting recess 225 of the spare wheel cover 220, and the spare wheel cover 220 is tightened with help of the fastening means 170. Now the spare wheel 200 and the spare wheel cover 220 will act as a single assembly, and operation of the winch mechanism 110 will lift the spare wheel 200 along with the spare wheel cover 220 on the vehicle underbody. Similarly, the spare wheel cover 220 and spare wheel 200 can be removed and refitted outside of vehicle 10 (shown in Figure 5) with ease.
[027] Advantageously, the first retainer member and the second retainer member of the present invention enable the spare wheel mounting assembly to mount the spare wheel cover and the spare wheel to be mounted/locked with respect to the underbody simultaneously. The assembly is light in weight and simple in construction. The present invention eliminates the requirement of additional mounting device for mounting the spare wheel cover. The assembly of the present invention provides ease of usage while mounting/dismounting the spare wheel along with the spare wheel cover. Further, the spare wheel cover reduces drag coefficient resulting in an improvement of the efficiency of the vehicle. By covering the spare wheel with the spare wheel cover, the airflow under the vehicle is streamlined. The spare wheel cover reduces the aerodynamic drag by allowing air to flow more easily under the spare wheel. This reduction in aerodynamic drag directly contributes to better fuel efficiency.
[028] While the present invention has been described with respect to certain embodiments, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various changes and modification may be made without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the following claims.

List of Reference Numerals
10: Vehicle
100: Assembly
110: Winch Mechanism
112: Casing
114: Handle/Shaft
116: Attachment Means of the Winch Mechanism
120: Winch Cable
130: Bracket
134: First Opening of the Bracket
136: Second Opening of the Bracket
140: First Retainer Member
141a, 141b: Retaining Portions of the first retainer member
150: Stopper Element
150a: Engagement Portion
160: Second Retainer Member
161: Boss Member of the second retainer member
161a: Attachment Portion of the Boss Member
165: Support Member of the second retainer member
168: Internal Threaded Recess of the support member
170: Fastening Means
200: Spare Wheel
210: Rim
215: Mounting Hole
220: Spare Wheel Cover
225: Mounting Recess
R: Isolating Member
S: Spring Element

CLAIMS:We Claim:

1. An assembly (100) for mounting a spare wheel cover (220) for a vehicle (10), the assembly (100) comprising:
a winch mechanism (110) mounted on the vehicle (10), the winch mechanism (110) having a winch cable (120), the winch cable (120) being attached to a spare wheel (200) to raise or lower the spare wheel (200) in a vehicle height direction;
a first retainer member (140) coupled to the winch cable (120) for mounting the spare wheel (200) to an underbody of the vehicle (10), the first retainer member (140) having a through-hole for allowing the winch cable (120) to pass through; and
a second retainer member (160) being attached to a terminal end of the winch cable (120) passing through the first retainer member (140), the second retainer member (160) being adapted to mount the spare wheel cover (220).

2. The assembly (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the second retainer member (160) comprises a boss member (161) and a support member (165), the boss member (161) extends perpendicularly away from the support member (165) and the boss member (161) being configured to receive the terminal end of the winch cable (120) and the support member (165) being configured to receive a fastening means (170) for mounting the spare wheel cover (220).
3. The assembly (100) as claimed in claim 2, wherein the boss member (161) being configured to be crimped on to the winch cable (120).

4. The assembly (100) as claimed in claim 2, wherein the support member (165) having an internal threaded recess (168), the internal threaded recess (168) being adapted to receive the fastening means (170).

5. The assembly (100) as claimed in claim 2, wherein the spare wheel cover (220) has a mounting recess (225), the mounting recess (225) being adapted to allow the fastening means (170) to pass through and mount the spare wheel cover (220) to the support member (165) of the second retainer member (160).

6. The assembly (100) as claimed in claim 1, comprising:
a stopper element (150) disposed between the first retainer member (140) and the second retainer member (160), the stopper element (150) having an engagement portion (150a); and
a spring element (S) extending between a bottom side of the first retainer member (140) and the engagement portion (150a) of the stopper element (150).

7. The assembly (100) as claimed in claim 1, comprises an isolating member (R), the isolating member (R) being configured to be received inside through the through-hole of the first retainer member (140).
8. The assembly (100) as claimed in claim 1, comprises a bracket (130) mounted on the vehicle (10), the bracket (130) configured to guide the winch cable (120) to operate the spare wheel cover (220).

Dated this 14th day of August 2023

MAHINDRA ELECTRIC AUTOMOBILE LIMITED
By their Agent & Attorney

(Janaksinh Jhala)
of Khaitan & Co
Reg No IN/PA-2193