[001] The present invention, in general, relates to arrangement of spare tire in a vehicle and, more particularly, to a spare tire handling and positioning assembly in a vehicle.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[002] Background description includes information that may be useful in understanding the present invention.
[003] Motor vehicles, such as cars, usually carries a spare tire as a replacement for one that goes flat, has a blowout, or has another emergency. Generally, a recessed area in the trunk of a vehicle is provided, usually in the center, to carry a spare tire while not in use. In most of the vehicles, the spare tire is secured with a bolt and wing-nut type fastener. Usually a stiff sheet of cardboard lies on top of the recessed area with the trunk carpet on top of it to hide the spare tire and provide a pleasant look to and a flat surface for the trunk space.
[004] Other than recessed area in the trunk, sometimes a cradle underneath the rear of the vehicle is provided to carry the spare tire. This cradle is usually secured by a bolt that is accessible from inside the trunk, for security. This arrangement has advantages over storing the tire inside the trunk, including not having to empty the contents of the trunk to access the wheel.
[005] Many sport utility vehicles (SUVs) and off-road vehicles have the spare wheel mounted externally – usually on the rear door, but others may mount them on the roof of vehicle.
Technical Problem:
[006] Most of the ways of carrying spare tires takes up space which can be utilized otherwise. For example, providing recessed area in the trunk. Further, it becomes difficult to procure the tire at the time of need. To procure the tire, the driver has to remove the trunk carpet and cardboard.
[007] In case of immovable cradle, the driver/mechanic has to reach to the cradle provided below the floor of the vehicle which becomes difficult task to access the spare tire and may result in injury of driver/mechanic.
[008] External mounting of the spare tire decreases the aesthetics of the vehicle.
[009] Therefore, there is a need to provide a spare tire handling and positioning assembly which can overcome the above mentioned drawbacks.
OBJECTIVES OF THE INVENTION
[0010] It is therefore the object of the invention to overcome the aforementioned and other drawbacks existing in prior systems.
[0011] Another object of the present invention is to provide a spare tire handling and positioning assembly from which spare tire can be easily accessed.
[0012] Another object of the present invention is to provide a spare tire handling and positioning assembly which can utilize space otherwise not utilizable in the vehicle.
[0013] Another object of the present invention is to provide a spare tire handling and positioning assembly to carry spare tire under the rear floor.
[0014] Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a spare tire handling and positioning assembly which can only be lowered from inside the trunk.
[0015] These and other objects and advantages of the present invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art after a consideration of the following detailed description.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0016] To attain the above objects, the present invention provides a spare tire handling and positioning assembly for automotive vehicle. The assembly comprises a screw wrench, a screw link, a spindle fixedly connected to a lower end of the screw link, a spindle case having a slot for the spindle, a plurality of brackets connected to a bottom side of a vehicle floor and a wheel cradle hingedly connected to the vehicle floor through a plurality of links and a plurality of fork shaped links each having a first prong, a second prong and a third prong.
[0017] In an aspect, the screw wrench is provided with a protrusion at a bottom end and the screw link is provided with a recess at a top end having shape similar to the protrusion such that the screw wrench is removably attached to the screw link.
[0018] In an aspect, the assembly further comprising a flange with internal threads such that the screw link is able to rotate inside the flange, wherein the flange is secured in an opening on vehicle floor.
[0019] In an aspect, the assembly further comprising a plurality of mechanical links such that one end of the plurality of mechanical links are fixedly connected with sides of the spindle case and a second end are pivotally connected to the second prong of the plurality of fork shaped links.
[0020] In an aspect, the first prong of the plurality of fork shaped links is pivotally connected to brackets and the third prong of the plurality of fork shaped links is pivotally connected to a back end of the wheel cradle.
[0021] In an aspect, a front end of the wheel cradle is hingedly connected to a bottom end of the plurality of links and a top end of the plurality of links are pivotally connected to the brackets.
[0022] In an aspect, the spindle has a hollow opening to accommodate the lower end of the screw link and a washer is attached to the lower end of the screw link.
[0023] In an aspect, the first prong and the second prong can be made either in an integrated form or fixed with the third prong.
[0024] The present subject matter further relates to a method of operation of spare tire handling and positioning assembly. The method includes steps of attaching a screw wrench with a screw link inside a flange and rotating the screw wrench attached to the screw link to rotate a spindle provided in a spindle case resulting in a translatory motion of the spindle case which further results in a curvilinear motion of a wheel cradle mounted under a vehicle floor.
[0025] In an aspect, the curvilinear motion to the wheel cradle is provided by the plurality of fork shaped links being pivotally connected to brackets fixed under the vehicle floor wherein a third prong of the plurality of fork shaped links being pivotally connected to a back end of the wheel cradle and a second prong of the plurality of fork shaped links pivotally connected to a second end of a plurality of mechanical links, and a plurality of links having bottom end connected to a front end of the wheel cradle and top end pivotally connected to the brackets.
[0026] It is to be understood that the aspects and embodiments of the disclosure described above may be used in any combination with each other. Several of the aspects and embodiments may be combined to form a further embodiment of the disclosure.
[0027] The foregoing summary is illustrative only and is not intended to be in any way limiting. In addition to the illustrative aspects, embodiments, and features described above, further aspects, embodiments, and features will become apparent by the following detailed description.
[0028] Various objects, features, aspects, and advantages of the inventive subject matter will become more apparent from the following detailed description of preferred embodiments.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING
[0029] The illustrated embodiments of the subject matter will be best understood by reference to the drawings, wherein like parts are designated by like numerals throughout. The following description is intended only by way of example, and simply illustrates certain selected embodiments of devices, systems, and processes that are consistent with the subject matter as claimed herein, wherein:
[0030] Figures-1A and 1B illustrate side views of spare tire handling and positioning assembly, according to one of the embodiments of present subject matter;
[0031] Figure-2 illustrates rear view of spare tire handling and positioning assembly, according to one of the embodiments of present subject matter;
[0032] Figure 3 illustrates various components of spare tire handling and positioning assembly, according to one of the embodiment of present subject matter;
[0033] Figure-4 illustrates side view of spare tire handling and positioning assembly, in closed state, according to one of the embodiments of present subject matter;
[0034] Figure-5 illustrates side view of spare tire handling and positioning assembly, in intermediate state, according to one of the embodiments of present subject matter; and
[0035] Figure-6 illustrates side view of spare tire handling and positioning assembly, in open state, according to one of the embodiments of present subject matter.
[0036] The figures depict embodiments of the disclosure for purposes of illustration only. One skilled in the art will readily recognize from the following description that alternative embodiments of a spare tire handling and positioning assembly and method of operation of spare tire handling and positioning assembly, according to an embodiment of the present invention structures and methods illustrated herein may be employed without departing from the principles of the disclosure described herein.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0037] While the embodiments of the disclosure are subject to various modifications and alternative forms, specific embodiment thereof have been shown by way of example in the figures and will be described below. It should be understood, however, that it is not intended to limit the disclosure to the particular forms disclosed, but on the contrary, the disclosure is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alterative falling within the scope of the disclosure.
[0038] As used in the description herein and throughout the claims that follow, the meaning of "a", "an", and "the" include plural reference unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Also, as used in the description herein, the meaning of "in" includes "in" and "on" unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.
[0039] The terms "comprises", "comprising", or any other variations thereof used in the disclosure, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion, such that a device, system, assembly that comprises a list of components does not include only those components but may include other components not expressly listed or inherent to the system, or assembly, or device. In other words, one or more elements in a system or device proceeded by "comprises... a" does not, without more constraints, preclude the existence of other elements or additional elements in the system, apparatus or device.
[0040] Hereinafter a spare tire 110 handling and positioning assembly (100) is explained in detail.
[0041] Referring to figures 1A and 1B, illustrating side views of spare tire handling and positioning assembly, according to one of the embodiments of present subject matter.
[0042] The spare tire handling and positioning assembly 100 comprises a screw wrench 101, a screw link 102 fixedly connected to a spindle 201 (as shown in figure 2), a flange 103 secured in an opening on a vehicle floor 104, a spindle case 105 having a slot for the spindle 201, a plurality of brackets 106a, 106b, 106c, 106d secured to the bottom side of the vehicle floor 104, a wheel cradle 107, a plurality of links 108a, 108b, a plurality of mechanical links 202a, 202b (as shown in figure 2) and a plurality of fork shaped links 109, 109’. The screw wrench 101 is provided with either a protrusion at its bottom end or a recess at its bottom end.
[0043] The flange 103 secured in the opening on the vehicle floor 104 is provided with internal threads. The screw link 102 is provided with a recess at top end which complements the protrusion provided at the bottom end of the screw wrench 101. The screw wrench 101 is coupled with the screw link 102 via this recess. Alternatively, the screw link 102 is provided with a protrusion at top end which complements a recess provided at the bottom end of the screw wrench 101. In an embodiment, a cap is provided to cover the top end of the screw link 102 when the screw wrench 101 is not connected to the screw link 102.
[0044] The screw link 102 interacts with the internal threads of the flange 103 on its circumferential surface 301 (as shown in Fig. 3) and is coupled to screw wrench 101 on the top end. The internal threads provided in the flange 103 facilitates the vertical movement of the screw link 102 and screw wrench 101 when torque is applied on the top end of the screw wrench 101. A slot is provided on the top end of the screw wrench 101 to accommodate a rod 302 (as shown in Fig. 3) which aids in providing torque to the screw wrench 101. The spindle 201 which is fixedly connected to a lower end of the screw link 102 is movably accommodated in the slot provided in a spindle case 105. The spindle 201 has a hollow opening to accommodate the lower end of the screw link 102. A washer is attached to the lower end of the screw link so that the screw link 102 is fixed connected to the spindle 201.
[0045] The wheel cradle 107 is a flat surface having its front end blocked by a cradle cover 303 to restrict the forward movement of tire 110 when accommodated in the wheel cradle 107. Further, a mechanical restraint 111 is provided on the wheel cradle 107 to prevent the movement of the tire 110. The front end of the wheel cradle 107 is pivotally connected to the brackets 106a, 106d through the links 108a, 108b. The links 108a, 108b are preferably a metal belt having their one end rotatably connected to the brackets 106a, 106d and other end hingedly connected to the front end of the wheel cradle 107. The links 108a, 108b facilitates curvilinear motion of the wheel cradle 107 during loading and unloading of spare tire from the wheel cradle 107.
[0046] The back end of the wheel cradle 107 is pivotally connected to the brackets 106b, 106c through the fork shaped links 109, 109’. The fork shaped links 109, 109’ have three prongs each, namely a first prong 109a, 109’a a second prong 109b, 109’b and a third prong 109c, 109’cmaking different angles with each other. The first prong 109a, 109’a and the second prong 109b, 109’b are either integrated from or fixed to the third prong 109c, 109’c, respectively. The first prong 109a, 109’ais pivotally connected to the brackets 106b, 106c fixedly mounted on the bottom of the vehicle floor 104. The second prong 109b, 109’b is pivotally connected to mechanical links 202a, 202b. The third prong 109c, 109’c is pivotally connected to the back end of the wheel cradle 107.
[0047] The brackets 106a, 106b, 106c, 106d are connected to the bottom of the vehicle floor 104 using nuts and bolts.
[0048] Referring to Figure 2 illustrating rear view of spare tire handling and positioning assembly 100, according to one of the embodiments of present subject matter. The second prong 109b, 109’b is connected to the spindle case 105 through the mechanical links 202a, 202b. These mechanical links 202a, 202b transfer the movement of spindle case 105 to the second prongs 109b, 109’b of the fork shaped links 109, 109’.
[0049] Referring to figure 3 illustrating various components of spare tire handling and positioning assembly 100, according to one of the embodiment of present subject matter. Components of the spare tire handling and positioning assembly 100, for instance, the screw wrench 101 with the rod 302, the screw link 102, the spindle 201, the flange 103, the vehicle floor 104, the spindle case 105, the spare tire 110, the bracket 106a, the wheel cradle 107, the plurality of links 108a, 108b, the plurality of mechanical links 202a, 202b and the plurality of fork shaped links 109, 109’ are shown in parts.
WORKING OF THE SPARE TIRE HANDLING AND POSITIONING ASSEMBLY
[0050] Referring to Figure 4 illustrating side view of spare tire 110 handling and positioning assembly 100, in closed state, according to one of the embodiments of present subject matter. In the closed state, the spare tire 110 is locked between the bottom side of the vehicle floor 104 and the wheel cradle 107. To initiate the operation of procuring the spare tire 110 accommodated by the present spare tire handling and positioning assembly 100, the screw wrench 101 is coupled with screw link 102 in connection with the internal threads of the flange 103. The rod 302 is inserted in the slot provided on the top end of the screw wrench 101 to provide torque to the screw link 102. The rotation of screw link 102 provides horizontal and vertical movement to the spindle case 105 through the movement of spindle 201 inside the spindle case 105 towards rear end of the vehicle. This horizontal and vertical movement is transferred to the second prong 109b, 109’b of the fork shaped links 109, 109’ through mechanical links 202a, 202b. As the first prong 109a, 109’aand the second prong 109b, 109’b are integrally molded or fixed to the third prong 109c, 109’c, this movement is transferred to the first prong 109a, 109’a and third prong 109c, 109’calso.
[0051] The transferred horizontal and vertical movement from the spindle case 105 facilitates curvilinear motion of the wheel cradle 107 through the first prong 109a, 109’a and the third prong 109c, 109’c.
[0052] Referring to Figure 5 illustrating side view of spare tire handling and positioning assembly 100, in intermediate state, according to one of the embodiments of present subject matter. Continuous application of torque on the screw link 102 through screw wrench 101 leads to vertically downward movement of screw wrench 101 through internal threads of the flange 103. This vertically downward movement, consecutively, leads to horizontal and vertical movement of the spindle case 105 through the movement of spindle 201 inside the spindle case 105 towards the rear end of the vehicle. The horizontal and vertical movement of spindle case 105 generate curvilinear movement in the wheel cradle 107 through third prong 109c, 109’c of the fork shaped link 109, 109’ and links 108a, 108b.
[0053] Referring to Figure 6 illustrating side view of spare tire handling and positioning assembly 100, in open state, according to one of the embodiments of present subject matter. The application of torque is stopped after the spare tire handling and positioning assembly 100 is in open state. The spare tire 110 is procured from the wheel cradle 107 and the flat tire is placed in place of the spare tire 110. The torque is applied through the rod 302, provided in the slot of the screw wrench 101, in opposite direction. Application of torque in opposite direction, leads to vertically upward movement of screw wrench 101 through internal threads of the flange 103. This vertically upward movement, consecutively, leads to horizontal and vertical movement of the spindle case 105, towards the front end of the vehicle. This horizontal and vertical movement, towards the front end of the vehicle, is transferred to the second prong 109b, 109’b of the fork shaped links 109, 109’ through mechanical links 202a, 202b. As the first prong 109a, 109’a and the second prong 109b, 109’b are integrally molded or fixed to the third prong 109c, 109’c, this movement is transferred to the first prong 109a, 109’a and third prong 109c, 109’c also. The transferred horizontal and vertical movement from the spindle case 105 facilitates curvilinear motion of the wheel cradle 107 through first prong 109a, 109’a and third prong 109c, 109’c. The torque in the opposite direction is applied until the spare tire handling and positioning assembly 100 reach the closed state.
[0054] The present spare tire handling and positioning assembly 100 makes the spare tire 110 easily accessible, to the driver/mechanic, when the vehicle tire needs to be replaced. Further, the present assembly 100 is provided below the floor 104 of the vehicle and only an opening is provided in the trunk of the vehicle. Hence, this assembly provides more space in the trunk. Furthermore, the only manner in which the spare tire 110 is accessible is through the trunk. This protect the spare tire 110 from theft.
[0055] Each of the appended claims defines a separate invention, which for infringement purposes are recognized as including equivalents to the various elements or limitations specified in the claims. Depending on the context, all references below to the "invention" may in some cases refer to certain specific embodiments only. In other cases, it will be recognized that references to the "invention" will refer to subject matter recited in one or more, but not necessarily all, of the claims.
[0056] With respect to the use of substantially any plural and/or singular terms herein, those having skill in the art can translate from the plural to the singular and/or from the singular to the plural as is appropriate to the context and/or application. The various singular/plural permutations may be expressly set forth herein for sake of clarity.
[0057] It will be understood by those within the art that, in general, terms used herein, and especially in the appended claims (e.g., bodies of the appended claims) are generally intended as "open" terms (e.g., the term "including" should be interpreted as "including but not limited to," the term "having" should be interpreted as "having at least," the term "includes" should be interpreted as "includes but is not limited to," etc.). It will be further understood by those within the art that if a specific number of an introduced claim recitation is intended, such an intent will be explicitly recited in the claim, and in the absence of such recitation no such intent is present. For example, as an aid to understanding, the following appended claims may contain usage of the introductory phrases "at least one" and "one or more" to introduce claim recitations. However, the use of such phrases should not be construed to imply that the introduction of a claim recitation by the indefinite articles, ‘a', or "an" limits any particular claim containing such introduced claim recitation to inventions containing only one such recitation, even when the same claim includes the introductory phrases "one or more" or "at least one" and indefinite articles such as "a" or "an" (e.g., "a" and/or "an" should typically be interpreted to mean "at least one" or "one or more"); the same holds true for the use of definite articles used to introduce claim recitations. In addition, even if a specific number of an introduced claim recitation is explicitly recited, those skilled in the art will recognize that such recitation should typically be interpreted to mean at least the recited number (e.g., the bare recitation of "two recitations," without other modifiers, typically means at least two recitations, or two or more recitations).
[0058] The above description does not provide specific details of manufacture or design of the various components. Those of skill in the art are familiar with such details, and unless departures from those techniques are set out, techniques, known, related art or later developed designs and materials should be employed. Those in the art are capable of choosing suitable manufacturing and design details.
[0059] The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the present disclosure. It will be appreciated that several of the above-disclosed and other features and functions, or alternatives thereof, may be combined into other systems or applications. Various presently unforeseen or unanticipated alternatives, modifications, variations, or improvements therein may subsequently be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the present disclosure as encompassed by the following claims.
[0060] The claims, as originally presented and as they may be amended, encompass variations, alternatives, modifications, improvements, equivalents, and substantial equivalents of the embodiments and teachings disclosed herein, including those that are presently unforeseen or unappreciated, and that, for example, may arise from applicants/patentees and others.
[0061] While various aspects and embodiments have been disclosed herein, other aspects and embodiments will be apparent to those skilled in the art. The various aspects and embodiments disclosed herein are for purposes of illustration and are not intended to be limiting, with the true scope being indicated by the following claims

We claim:

1.A spare tire (110) handling and positioning assembly (100), the assembly (100) comprising:
a screw wrench (101);
a screw link (102);
a spindle (201) fixedly connected to a lower end of the screw link (102);
a spindle case (105) having a slot for the spindle (201);
a plurality of brackets (106a, 106b, 106c, 106d) connected to a bottom side of a vehicle floor (104); and
a wheel cradle (107) hingedly connected to the vehicle floor (104) through a plurality of links (108a, 108b) and a plurality of fork shaped links (109, 109’) each having a first prong (109a, 109b), a second prong (109b, 109’b) and a third prong (109c, 109’c).

2. The assembly (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the screw wrench (101) is provided with a protrusion at a bottom end and the screw link (102) is provided with a recess at a top end having shape similar to the protrusion such that the screw wrench (101) is removably attached to the screw link (102).

3. The assembly (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the assembly (100) further comprising:
a flange (103) with internal threads such that the screw link (102) is able to rotate inside the flange (103), wherein the flange (103) is secured in an opening on the vehicle floor (104).

4. The assembly (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the assembly (100) further comprising:
a plurality of mechanical links (202a, 202b) such that one end of the plurality of mechanical links (202a, 202b) are fixedly connected with sides of the spindle case (105) and a second end are pivotally connected to a second prong (109b, 109’b) of the plurality of fork shaped links (109, 109’).

5. The assembly (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first prong (109a, 109’a) of the plurality of fork shaped links (109, 109’) is pivotally connected to brackets (106b, 106c) and the third prong (109c, 109’c) of the plurality of fork shaped links (109, 109’) is pivotally connected to a back end of the wheel cradle (107).

6. The assembly (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein a front end of the wheel cradle (107) is hingedly connected to a bottom end of the plurality of links (108a, 108b) and a top end of the plurality of links (108a, 108b) are pivotally connected to the brackets (106a, 106d).

7. The assembly (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the spindle (201) has a hollow opening to accommodate the lower end of the screw link (102) and a washer is attached to the lower end of the screw link (102).

8. The assembly (100) as claimed in claim 1, the first prong (109a, 109’a) and the second prong (109b, 109’b) can be made either in an integrated form or fixed with the third prong (109c, 109’c).

9. A method of operation of spare tire (110) handling and positioning assembly (100), the method comprises:
attaching a screw wrench (101) with a screw link (102) inside a flange (103);
rotating the screw wrench (101) attached to the screw link (102) to rotate a spindle (201) provided in a spindle case (105) resulting in a horizontal and vertical movement of the spindle case (105) which further results in a curvilinear motion of a wheel cradle (107) mounted under a vehicle floor (104).

10. The method as claimed in claim 9, wherein the curvilinear motion to the wheel cradle (13) is provided by:
a plurality of fork shaped links (109, 109’) being pivotally connected to brackets (106b, 106c) fixed under the vehicle floor (104) wherein a third prong (109c, 109’c) of the plurality of fork shaped links (109, 109’) being pivotally connected to a back end of the wheel cradle (107) and a second prong (109b, 109’b) of the plurality of fork shaped links (109, 109’) pivotally connected to a second end of a plurality of mechanical links (202a, 202b); and
a plurality of links (108a, 108b) having bottom end connected to a front end of the wheel cradle (107) and top end pivotally connected to brackets (106a, 106d).