Description:FORM 2
THE PATENTS ACT 1970
(39 of 1970)
&
THE PATENTS RULES, 2003

COMPLETE SPECIFICATION
(See section 10 and rule 13)

A SECURING ASSEMBLY FOR A SPARE TYRE OF A VEHICLE;

MAHINDRA & MAHINDRA LIMITED, A COMPANY REGISTERED UNDER THE INDIAN COMPANIES ACT, 1913, HAVING ADDRESS AT MAHINDRA & MAHINDRA LTD., MAHINDRA RESEARCH VALLEY. MAHINDRA WORLD CITY, PLOT NO.41/1, ANJUR P.O., CHENGALPATTU, KANCHIPURAM DISTRICT, TAMILNADU – 603004, INDIA

THE FOLLOWING SPECIFICATION PARTICULARLY DESCRIBES THE NATURE OF THIS INVENTION AND THE MANNER IN WHICH IT IS TO BE PERFORMED

FIELD OF THE INVENTION:
The present invention relates to a securing assembly disposed on a rear end of a vehicle for securing a spare tyre.

PRIOR ART OF THE INVENTION:
Conventionally, a securing assembly disposed on a rear end of a vehicle for securing a spare tyre includes a hinge arrangement. One end of the securing assembly is fastened with a removable fastener such that a spare tyre cradle is declined towards a ground surface when the removable fastener is removed. Therefore, spare tyre removal becomes difficult since the cradle assembly is disposed at rear end of the vehicle. In case where additional bumper is present, the spare tyre removal becomes much more difficult from the cradle assembly.
Further, a securing assembly is used for securing a spare tyre on a rear end of a vehicle. The securing may have one or more components to secure the tyre. This securing assembly is located well above a ground level in such a manner that it may not interfere with a ground while running on a flat surface. However, when the vehicle is running on a slopy surface or descending from the slopy surface, one or more component of the securing assembly may interfere with the ground. More particularly, in conventional design as shown in FIG. 4A, the one or more components of the securing assembly interfere with a departure angle of the vehicle. Due to this interference, the securing assembly may get damaged which is not desirable. Further, the cradle assembly must meet the requirements of clearance for the departure angle in assembled condition.
Therefore, there is a requirement of an improved design of the securing assembly to overcome at least one of the above-mentioned problems.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION:
The object of the present invention is to design a device to solve the previously discussed problems.
According to the present invention, a securing assembly disposed on a rear end of a vehicle for securing a spare tyre is provided. The securing assembly includes a first bracket fixedly coupled to a chassis of the vehicle. The securing assembly also includes a second bracket rotatably coupled to the first bracket. The second bracket rotates about a vertical axis. The securing assembly further includes a hanging bracket fixedly coupled to the chassis. The securing assembly includes a cradle assembly for carrying the spare tyre thereon. The cradle assembly includes a securing element to removably secure the cradle assembly on to the hanging bracket. The cradle assembly also includes a first cradle and a second cradle rotatably coupled to the second bracket. The first cradle and the second cradle rotate about a horizontal axis. The first cradle and the second cradle are disposed in such a manner that an oblique plane containing the first cradle and the second cradle makes an angle equal to or greater than a departure angle of the vehicle, a departure plane of the vehicle and the cradle assembly overlap or lie outside the departure angle of the vehicle in a side view of the vehicle.
According to the present invention, the hanging bracket includes a bent tube extending vertically down.
According to the present invention, the securing element includes a slot to receive a portion of the bent tube of the hanging bracket.
According to the present invention, the securing element is removably secure to the hanging bracket by a bolt.
According to the present invention, the securing element is locked to the hanging bracket in an engaged position.
According to the present invention, the second bracket rotatably coupled to the first bracket by a step bolt.
According to the present invention, the cradle assembly includes a knob to secure the spare tyre thereon.
According to the present invention, the first cradle and the second cradle rotatably coupled to the second bracket using a pin.
According to the present invention, the cradle assembly comprising a support bracket to secure the spare tyre thereon.
According to the present invention, the cradle assembly comprising a handle.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS:
FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of a vehicle, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;
FIG. 2 illustrates a perspective view of a securing assembly associated with the vehicle of FIG. 1, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;
FIG. 3 illustrates a perspective view of the securing assembly in a disengaged position, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;
FIG. 4A illustrates a side view of a conventional design of the securing assembly, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; and
FIG. 4B illustrates a side view of the securing assembly, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Preferred embodiments, of the present disclosure, will now be described along the best mode of operation with reference to the accompanying drawing.
Wherever possible, the same reference numbers will be used throughout the drawings to refer to the same or the like parts. Wherever possible, corresponding, or similar reference numbers will be used throughout the drawings to refer to the same or corresponding parts.
The terminology used, in the present disclosure, is only for the purpose of explaining a particular embodiment and such terminology shall not be considered to limit the scope of the present disclosure. As used in the present disclosure, the forms “a,” “an,” and “the” may be intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly suggests otherwise. The terms “comprises,” “comprising,” “including,” and “having,” are open ended transitional phrases and therefore specify the presence of stated elements, modules, units and/or components, but do not forbid the presence or addition of one or more other elements, components, and/or groups thereof.
The terms first, second, third, etc., should not be construed to limit the scope of the present disclosure as the aforementioned terms may be only used to distinguish one element, component or region from another component, or section. Terms such as first, second, third etc., when used herein do not imply a specific sequence or order unless clearly suggested by the present disclosure.
Departure angle is a maximum angle of ramp at which a vehicle can descent down to a horizontal plane without interference.
FIG. 1 illustrates a vehicle (100) including a securing assembly (102). The vehicle (100) includes a front end and a rear end. The securing assembly (102) disposed on the rear end of the vehicle (100) for securing a spare tyre (104). The spare tyre (104) is carried on the vehicle (100) as a replacement for one that goes flat, has a blowout, or has another emergency. As shown in FIG. 2, the securing assembly (102) includes a first bracket (106) fixedly coupled to a chassis of the vehicle (100). The first bracket (106) may be coupled to the chassis of the vehicle (100) by means of one or more mechanical joints such as bolts, rivets, screws, and the like. The first bracket (106) may also be coupled to the chassis of the vehicle (100) by means of one or more welding techniques, without limiting the scope of the present disclosure.
The securing assembly (102) also includes a second bracket (108) rotatably coupled to the first bracket (106). The second bracket (108) rotates relatively with respect to the first bracket (106) (as shown in FIG. 3). The second bracket (108) rotates about a vertical axis (V1). The second bracket (108) rotatably coupled to the first bracket (106) by a step bolt (126) (110). The securing assembly (102) further includes a hanging bracket (112) fixedly coupled to the chassis. The hanging bracket (112) may be coupled to the chassis of the vehicle (100) by means of one or more mechanical joints such as bolts, rivets, screws, and the like. The hanging bracket (112) may also be coupled to the chassis of the vehicle (100) by means of one or more welding techniques, without limiting the scope of the present disclosure. The hanging bracket (112) includes a bent tube (114) extending vertically down.
The securing assembly (102) includes a cradle assembly (116) for carrying the spare tyre (104) thereon. The cradle assembly (116) includes a handle (118). Further, a stud arrangement (not shown) and the handle (118) provided on the cradle assembly (116) prevents the cradle assembly (116) from falling down while removing the spare tyre (104). The cradle assembly (116) includes a knob (120) to secure the spare tyre (104) thereon. The cradle assembly (116) also includes a support bracket (122) to secure the spare tyre (104) thereon. The cradle assembly (116) further includes a securing element (124) to removably secure the cradle assembly (116) on to the hanging bracket (112). The securing element (124) is disposed at one end of the cradle assembly (116). Further, the securing element (124) is removably secure to the hanging bracket (112) by a bolt (126). The securing element (124) is locked to the hanging bracket (112) in the secured position. More particularly, the securing element (124) is used to engage or disengage the cradle assembly (116) on to the hanging bracket (112). The securing element (124) further includes a slot (128) to receive a portion of the bent tube (114) of the hanging bracket (112).
The cradle assembly (116) includes a first cradle (130) and a second cradle (132) rotatably coupled to the second bracket (108) (as shown in FIG. 3). Further, the first cradle (130) and the second cradle (132) rotatably coupled to the second bracket (108) using a pin (134). The first cradle (130) and the second cradle (132) rotate about a horizontal axis (H1). The cradle assembly (116) may be rotated about vertical axis (V1) or horizontal axis (H1) to engage or disengage the securing element (124) with the hanging bracket (112).
Referring to FIG. 4B, in the engaged position, the first cradle (130) and the second cradle (132) are disposed in such a manner that an oblique plane (P1) containing the first cradle (130) and the second cradle (132) makes an angle equal to or greater than a departure angle (A1) of the vehicle, a departure plane (P2) of the vehicle (100) and the cradle assembly (116) overlap or lie outside the departure angle (A1) of the vehicle (100) in a side view of the vehicle (100). Specifically, the cradle assembly (116) lies outside the departure plane (P2) of the vehicle (100) such that the cradle assembly (116) does not interfere with the departure angle (A1) of the vehicle (100).
The present invention provides an improved design of the securing assembly (102) which does not interfere with the departure angle (A1) of the vehicle (100). As shown in FIG. 4A, the securing assembly (102) eliminates the problem of conventional design of the securing assembly (102). The improved design of the securing assembly (102) also eliminates the damage to the securing assembly (102) when descending from the slope. This may further eliminate additional repair and/or replacement cost. The present invention resolves the one or more problems of the conventional designs by incorporating a dual swing hinge arrangement namely the second bracket (108) and the cradle assembly (116), which will help to remove the spare tyre (104).
While aspects of the present disclosure have been particularly shown and described with reference to the embodiments above, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various additional embodiments may be contemplated by the modification of the disclosed machines, systems, and methods without departing from the spirit and scope of what is disclosed. Such embodiments should be understood to fall within the scope of the present disclosure as determined based upon the claims and any equivalents thereof.
, Claims:
1. A securing assembly (102) disposed on a rear end of a vehicle (100) for securing a spare tyre (104), the securing assembly (102) comprising:
a first bracket (106) fixedly coupled to a chassis of the vehicle (100);
a second bracket (108) rotatably coupled to the first bracket (106), the second bracket (108) rotates about a vertical axis (V1);
a hanging bracket (112) fixedly coupled to the chassis; and
a cradle assembly (116) for carrying the spare tyre (104) thereon, the cradle assembly (116) comprising:
a securing element (124) to removably secure the cradle assembly (116) on to the hanging bracket (112); and
a first cradle (130) and a second cradle (132) rotatably coupled to the second bracket (108), the first cradle (130) and the second cradle (132) rotate about a horizontal axis (H1), the first cradle (130) and the second cradle (132) are disposed in such a manner that an oblique plane (P1) containing the first cradle (130) and the second cradle (132) makes an angle equal to or greater than a departure angle (A1) of the vehicle, a departure plane (P2) of the vehicle (100) and the cradle assembly (116) overlap or lie outside the departure angle (A1) of the vehicle (100) in a side view of the vehicle (100).

2. The securing assembly (102) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the hanging bracket (112) includes a bent tube (114) extending vertically down.

3. The securing assembly (102) as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the securing element (124) includes a slot (128) to receive a portion of the bent tube (114) of the hanging bracket (112).

4. The securing assembly (102) as claimed in any of the preceding claims, wherein the securing element (124) is removably secure to the hanging bracket (112) by a bolt (126).

5. The securing assembly (102) as claimed in any of the preceding claims, wherein the securing element (124) is locked to the hanging bracket (112) in an engaged position.

6. The securing assembly (102) as claimed in any of the preceding claims, wherein the second bracket (108) rotatably coupled to the first bracket (106) by a step bolt (126, 110).

7. The securing assembly (102) as claimed in any of the preceding claims, wherein the cradle assembly (116) includes a knob (120) to secure the spare tyre (104) thereon.

8. The securing assembly (102) as claimed in any of the preceding claims, wherein the first cradle (130) and the second cradle (132) rotatably coupled to the second bracket (108) using a pin (134).

9. The securing assembly (102) as claimed in any of the preceding claims, wherein the cradle assembly (116) comprising a support bracket (122) to secure the spare tyre (104) thereon.

10. The securing assembly (102) as claimed in any of the preceding claims, wherein the cradle assembly (116) comprising a handle (118).