DESC:FIELD
The present disclosure relates to the field of tire storage arrangements in vehicles.
DEFINITION
As used in the present disclosure, the following terms are generally intended to have the meaning as set forth below, except to the extent that the context in which they are used indicate otherwise.
Stance– The term “Stance” hereinafter refers to a car customization style which is characterized by lowered suspension, large wheels, stretched tires and negative camber to provide an improved visual appeal, and offer better performance characteristics and handling.
BACKGROUND
The background information herein below relates to the present disclosure but is not necessarily prior art.
At present, the demand for vehicles meeting the sub-4 meter constraints has increased since these vehicles are eco-friendly, consume less fuel, and are easy to park and manoeuvre. Further, they take less space on the road and help in reducing traffic congestions.
Increasing the stance of a vehicle improves its handling. The stance of the vehicle is increased by lowering the suspension, increasing the diametrical dimensions of the wheels and the arranging the wheels in a negative camber. However, stancing a vehicle that meets the sub-4 meter constraints limits the rear end space of the vehicle that could be used for storing a spare tire of desired dimensions. If the rear end space is increased to accommodate the spare tire, then the passenger seating space would be compromised. On the other hand, mounting the spare tire to the back surface of the seat affects the bending and torsion stiffness of the wheel and adds to the passenger discomfort.
An alternative solution is to either store only a puncture kit in the vehicle and not the spare tire, or store a spare tire of a smaller dimension, both of which are not feasible options.
There is therefore, felt a need for an arrangement for storing the spare tire in a stanced vehicle that meets the sub-4 meter constraints without compromising on the length of the vehicle or the occupant comfort.
OBJECT
Some of the objects of the present disclosure, which at least one embodiment herein satisfies, are as follows:
An object of the present disclosure is to provide an arrangement for storing a spare tire in a stanced vehicle.
Another object of the present disclosure is to provide an arrangement that allows storing a spare tire of desired diametrical dimensions without affecting bending and torsion stiffness of the wheel.
Yet another object of the present disclosure is to provide an arrangement that does not affect the passenger comfort.
SUMMARY
The present disclosure envisages a spare tire holder for a vehicle. The spare tire holder is configured in the trunk of the vehicle. The spare tire holder comprises a housing for packaging a spare tire of 40 centimeters (16 inches) rim in the trunk area of the vehicle. The housing defines a recess extending up to the second backseat of the vehicle, and has an opening for feeding the spare tire into the recess. The spare tire holder further comprises a threaded member configured at the centre of the recess. The threaded member is configured to allow nesting of the spare tire thereupon to secure the spare tire into the recess. A plurality of arrestors is configured on the housing floor. The arrestors are configured to secure the tire onto the housing floor.
In an embodiment, the recess has a curvature at its seat end corresponding to the curvature of the spare tire.
In another embodiment, the spare tire holder includes a boot cover configured to allow access to the housing. The boot cover is provided with fitment means configured to raise the boot cover.
In yet another embodiment, a plurality of drain openings is configured on the housing to allow disposal of liquid waste therefrom.
In still another embodiment, the threaded member is provided with a mating member configured to be bolted with the threaded member after the spare tire is nested on the threaded member.
In another embodiment, the housing is attached to the vehicle floor by welding.
In an embodiment, a stanced vehicle comprises the spare tire holder of the present disclosure.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE ACCOMPANYING DRAWING
A spare tire, of the present disclosure, will now be described with the help of the accompanying drawing, in which:
Figure 1 illustrates an isometric view of the arrangement, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure;
Figure 2 illustrates a top view of the arrangement of Figure 1;
Figure 3 illustrates a front view of the arrangement of Figure 1, with a spare tire stored therein;
Figure 4A illustrates a top view of the arrangement of Figure 1, attached to rear cross member of the vehicle; and
Figure 4B illustrates a top view of the rear cross member of Figure 4A.
LIST OF REFERENCE NUMERALS
100 – Spare tire holder
105 – Spare tire
110 – Housing
115 – Recess
120 – Arrestor
122 – Frictional projection
125 – Rear cross member
125A – Niche
130 – Threaded member
135 –Drain opening
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
Embodiments, of the present disclosure, will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawing.
Embodiments are provided so as to thoroughly and fully convey the scope of the present disclosure to the person skilled in the art. Numerous details are set forth, relating to specific components, and methods, to provide a complete understanding of embodiments of the present disclosure. It will be apparent to the person skilled in the art that the details provided in the embodiments should not be construed to limit the scope of the present disclosure. In some embodiments, well-known processes, well-known apparatus structures, and well-known techniques are not described in detail.
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 features, elements, modules, units and/or components, but do not forbid the presence or addition of one or more other features, elements, components, and/or groups thereof.
When an element is referred to as being "mounted on," “engaged to,” "connected to," or "coupled to" another element, it may be directly on, engaged, connected or coupled to the other element.
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, region, layer or section from another component, region, layer 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.
Terms such as “inner,” “outer,” "beneath," "below," "lower," "above," "upper," and the like, may be used in the present disclosure to describe relationships between different elements as depicted from the figures.
A spare tire holder (100), of the present disclosure, for a vehicle will now be described with reference to Figure 1 through Figure 4B.
The spare tire holder (100) is configured in the trunk of the vehicle. The spare tire holder (100) comprises a housing (110) for packaging a spare tire (105) of 40 centimeters (16 inches) rim in the trunk area of the vehicle. The housing (110) defines a recess (115) which extends up to the second backseat of the vehicle. The house (110) has an opening for feeding the spare tire (105) into the recess (115). The spare tire holder (100) further comprises a threaded member (130) configured at the centre of the recess (115). The threaded member (130) is configured to allow nesting of the spare tire (105) thereupon to secure the spare tire (105) into the recess (115). A plurality of arrestors is configured on the housing floor. The arrestors (120) are configured to securely lock down the tire (105) onto the housing floor, more specifically in the recess (115). The arrestors (120) facilitate prevention of vibrations of the spare tire (105) when held in the recess (115).
In an embodiment, the threaded member (130) is provided with a mating member configured to be bolted with the threaded member (130) after nesting the spare tire (105) on the threaded member (130). In another embodiment, the mating member is a threaded bolt.
As shown in Figure 2, the spare tire holder (100) includes arrestors (120) configured on an operative receiving surface of the housing (110). The arrestors (120) are configured to allow the spare tire (105) to be locked thereon as a result of which, the rotation or linear motion of the spare tire (105) in horizontal direction is prevented. The spare tire holder (100) includes frictional projections (122) configured at the opening of the housing (110). The frictional projections (122) help during feeding in the spare tire (105).
In an embodiment, a plurality of drain openings (135) is configured on the housing (110). The drain openings (135) are configured to allow disposal of liquid waste therefrom.
In an embodiment, the threaded member (130) is provided with a mating member configured to be bolted with the threaded member (130) after the spare tire (105) is nested on the threaded member (130). In another embodiment, the mating member is a threaded bolt.
In an embodiment, the housing (110) is manufactured from a metal sheet on which the configuration of the recess (115) is stamped on the metal sheet. The housing (110) includes protrusions embossed thereon to facilitate attachment of the housing (110) with complementary pockets configured on the vehicle floor. In another embodiment, the housing (110) is spot-welded to the vehicle floor.
The spare tire holder (100) includes a boot cover configured to cover the housing (110), thereby adding to the aesthetics of the vehicle. The boot cover is provided with a fitment means configured to raise the boot cover and facilitate access to the housing (110).
Preferably, the housing (110) is located proximal to the rear cross member (125) of the vehicle. As illustrated in Figure 3 and Figure 4B, the cross member (125) is provided with a niche (125A) configured thereon to allow fitting of the spare tire (105) in the housing (110). In an embodiment, a wheel removal envelope is formed at each operative ends of the cross member (125).
The spare tire holder (100) allows packing a spare tire (105) of the desired diametrical dimensions without affecting bending and torsion stiffness of the wheel. Further, since the spare tire holder (100) is provided beneath the vehicle floor, the passenger comfort or the overall length of the vehicle are not compromised with.
The present disclosure further envisages a stanced vehicle comprising the spare tire holder (100). The configuration of the spare tire holder (100) ensures that the desired ground clearance, the overall length of the stanced vehicle and the passenger comfort is not compromised with.
In an embodiment, the spare tire holder (100) of the present disclosure, is configured to hold a full-size spare tire (105) having a diametrical dimension of 16” without affecting the bending and torsion stiffness of the wheel (105). In another embodiment, the spare tire holder (100) can be configured on an existing stanced vehicle platform, thus being cost-effective.
The foregoing description of the embodiments has been provided for purposes of illustration and not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure. Individual components of a particular embodiment are generally not limited to that particular embodiment, but, are interchangeable. Such variations are not to be regarded as a departure from the present disclosure, and all such modifications are considered to be within the scope of the present disclosure.
TECHNICAL ADVANCEMENTS
The present disclosure described herein above has several technical advantages including, but not limited to, the realization of an arrangement for storing a spare tire in a stanced vehicle, that:
• allows packing a spare tire of desired diametrical dimensions without affecting bending and torsion stiffness of the wheel;
• does not affect the passenger comfort;
• does not compromise with the length of the vehicle; and
• improves angle of removal of wheel from storage.
The embodiments herein and the various features and advantageous details thereof are explained with reference to the non-limiting embodiments in the following description. Descriptions of well-known components and processing techniques are omitted so as to not unnecessarily obscure the embodiments herein. The examples used herein are intended merely to facilitate an understanding of ways in which the embodiments herein may be practiced and to further enable those of skill in the art to practice the embodiments herein. Accordingly, the examples should not be construed as limiting the scope of the embodiments herein.
The foregoing description of the specific embodiments so fully reveal the general nature of the embodiments herein that others can, by applying current knowledge, readily modify and/or adapt for various applications such specific embodiments without departing from the generic concept, and, therefore, such adaptations and modifications should and are intended to be comprehended within the meaning and range of equivalents of the disclosed embodiments. It is to be understood that the phraseology or terminology employed herein is for the purpose of description and not of limitation. Therefore, while the embodiments herein have been described in terms of preferred embodiments, those skilled in the art will recognize that the embodiments herein can be practiced with modification within the spirit and scope of the embodiments as described herein.
The use of the expression “at least” or “at least one” suggests the use of one or more elements or ingredients or quantities, as the use may be in the embodiment of the disclosure to achieve one or more of the desired objects or results.
Any discussion of documents, acts, materials, devices, articles or the like that has been included in this specification is solely for the purpose of providing a context for the disclosure. It is not to be taken as an admission that any or all of these matters form a part of the prior art base or were common general knowledge in the field relevant to the disclosure as it existed anywhere before the priority date of this application.
The numerical values mentioned for the various physical parameters, dimensions or quantities are only approximations and it is envisaged that the values higher/lower than the numerical values assigned to the parameters, dimensions or quantities fall within the scope of the disclosure, unless there is a statement in the specification specific to the contrary.
While considerable emphasis has been placed herein on the components and component parts of the preferred embodiments, it will be appreciated that many embodiments can be made and that many changes can be made in the preferred embodiments without departing from the principles of the disclosure. These and other changes in the preferred embodiment as well as other embodiments of the disclosure will be apparent to those skilled in the art from the disclosure herein, whereby it is to be distinctly understood that the foregoing descriptive matter is to be interpreted merely as illustrative of the disclosure and not as a limitation.
,CLAIMS:WE CLAIM:
1. A spare tire holder (100) for a vehicle, said spare tire holder (100) configured in the trunk of the vehicle, said spare tire holder (100) comprising:
• a housing (110) for packaging a spare tire (105) of 40 centimeters (16 inches) rim in the trunk area of said vehicle, said housing (110) defining a recess (115) extending up to the second backseat of said vehicle, and having an opening for feeding the spare tire (105) into said recess (115);
• a threaded member (130) configured at the centre of said recess (115), said threaded member (130) configured to allow nesting of said spare tire (105) thereupon to secure said spare tire (105) into said recess (115); and
• a plurality of arrestors (120) configured on the housing floor, said arrestors (120) configured to secure said tire (105) onto said housing floor.
2. The spare tire holder (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said recess (115) has a curvature at its seat end corresponding to the curvature of said spare tire (105).
3. The spare tire holder (100) as claimed in claim 1, which includes a boot cover configured to allow access to said housing (110), said boot cover provided with fitment means configured to raise the boot cover.
4. The spare tire holder (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein a plurality of drain openings (135) is configured on said housing (110) to allow disposal of liquid waste therefrom.
5. The spare tire holder (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said threaded member (130) is provided with a mating member configured to be bolted with said threaded member (130) after said spare tire (105) is nested on said threaded member (130).
6. The spare tire holder (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said housing (110) is attached to said vehicle floor by welding.
7. A stanced vehicle comprising said spare tire holder (100), as claimed in claim 1.