DESC:Carrier Assembly for Spare Wheel of Vehicle

Field of the invention

The present invention relates to a spare wheel carrier of vehicle on a rear door or tailgate, and more particularly relates to a carrier assembly for spare wheel of vehicle.

Background of the invention

Most Sport Utility vehicle (SUV) have spare wheel positioned on the back/tail door which are aesthetic wise robust design as well as to manage the space constraint. Generally, the height of spare wheel mounting position is half of the vehicle height. The weight of spare wheel assembly is tentative maintained around 30 kg.

In an event of changing tyre, difficulty is observed in lifting the spare wheel from the mounting bracket and placing them down on ground. In this process, greater difficulty is to control spare wheel as when put on the ground as most of the time the spare wheel bounces back uncontrollably. It is well known that rolling down tyre on road results in major accidents. Many incidences have also been reported wherein the spare wheel while being unloaded generally falls down on leg injuring the driver.

Further, loading of puncture tyre on the mounting bracket presents a greater challenge, which requires lots of effort for fitment by single person and also presents severe problems for female and elderly individuals. Another problem associated with tyre changing process is soiling of cloths because of which spare wheel users tend to avoid changing tyre by their own.

Accordingly, there exists a need to provide a carrier assembly for spare wheel of a vehicle that overcomes the above mentioned drawbacks of the prior art.

Objects of the invention

An object of the present invention is to load and unload a spare wheel to and from a mounting position on a vehicle with low effort.

Another object of the present invention is to facilitate easy removal of the spare wheel from its location as well as restoration of the puncture tyre.

Yet another object of the present invention is to prevent issues of rolling and bouncing back of the spare wheel during unloading.

Summary of the invention

Accordingly, the present invention provides a carrier assembly for spare wheel of a vehicle. The carrier assembly comprises at least one pair of brackets, at least one pair of locking plates and at least one pair of telescopic posts.

The at least one pair of brackets is fixed on a tailgate of the vehicle. The at least one pair of brackets is adapted for mounting the spare wheel thereon. The at least one pair of locking plates is fitted on at least one pair of brackets. The at least one pair of locking plates is adapted for supporting and locking the spare wheel in all directions on the at least one pair of brackets thereby allowing the spare wheel to roll on an opposite side of the road during an unloading operation.

The at least one pair of telescopic posts is fitted between the at least one pair of brackets and the at least one pair of locking plates. The at least one pair of telescopic posts is capable of undergoing vertical movement moving the spare wheel therewith in any of upward and downward directions for any one of loading and unloading operations thereof.

The at least one pair of telescopic posts comprises any one of a collapsible gas stud and a collapsible guide channel connected thereto. The collapsible gas stud is pulled or pushed for vertically moving the spare wheel in any of upward and downward directions for any one of loading and unloading operations of the spare wheel.

The collapsible guide channels are interconnected by a supportive rod fitted there between. Any one of the collapsible guide channel is connected to a racked shaft. The racked shaft is connected to an operating lever. The operating lever is actuated manually or automatically to move the racked shaft and thus the telescopic post connected thereto. The vertical movement of one telescopic post gets transferred to another telescopic post by the supportive rod causing the collapsible guide channel to collapse/expand thereby vertically moving the spare wheel in any of upward and downward directions for any one of loading and unloading operations of the spare wheel.

Brief description of the drawings

Figure 1 shows a side view of a carrier assembly in a loaded position for a spare wheel of a vehicle, in accordance with the present invention;

Figure 2 shows a side view of a carrier assembly in a lowered position for the spare wheel of the vehicle, in accordance with the present invention;

Figure 3 shows a front view of the lowered position of the carrier assembly, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 4 shows a front view of an unloaded spare wheel from the carrier assembly of figure 3;

Figures 5-6 show various components of the carrier assembly of figure 3; and

Figures 7-8 show various components of the carrier assembly, in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention.

Detailed description of the invention

The foregoing objects of the present invention are accomplished and the problems and shortcomings associated with the prior art, techniques and approaches are overcome by the present invention as described below in the preferred embodiments.

The present invention provides a carrier assembly for a spare wheel of a vehicle. The carrier assembly facilitates loading and unloading of the spare wheel from a mounting position requiring very less effort. The carrier assembly also prevents issues of rolling and bouncing back of the spare wheel during unloading.

The present invention is illustrated with reference to the accompanying drawings, throughout which reference numbers indicate corresponding parts in the various figures. These reference numbers are shown in bracket in the following description.

Referring to figures 1 to 8, there is shown a carrier assembly (100) (hereinafter “the assembly (100)”) for a spare wheel (150) of a vehicle (not numbered) in accordance with the present invention. Specifically, the assembly (100) is an effortless loading and unloading mechanism for the spare wheel (150) of the vehicle. In an embodiment, the assembly (100) is mounted on a tailgate (rear door) (not numbered) of the vehicle. However, it is understood that the assembly (100) can also be mounted on fender, body side and door, roof, front and rear sides of the vehicle body as per various alternate embodiments of the present invention.

Specifically, the assembly (100) comprises at least one pair of brackets (10), at least one pair of locking plates (20) and at least one pair of telescopic posts (80) However, it is understood that the assembly (100) can have varied number of the mounting brackets (10), the locking plates (20) and the telescopic posts (80) as per various alternate embodiments of the present invention. In one alternate embodiment, the assembly (100) operates with only one mounting bracket (10), one locking plate (20) and one telescopic post (80).

The at least one pair of brackets (10) is fixed on the tailgate of the vehicle. Specifically, each bracket of the at least one pair of brackets (10) is fixed on either side of the tailgate of the vehicle by a connecting means (5) selected from bolt-nut, welding, riveting, folding operations and the like type. The at least one pair of brackets (10) are adapted for mounting/securing the spare wheel (150) thereon by using securing means (not shown) for example nuts and bolts.

The at least one pair of locking plates (20) is fitted on at least one pair of brackets (10). Specifically, each locking plate of the at least one pair of locking plates (20) is fitted on each bracket of the at least one pair of brackets (10). The at least one pair of locking plates (20) are adapted to support/hold and lock the spare wheel (150) in all directions on the at least one pair of brackets (10) in such a manner that the spare wheel (150) is allowed to roll on opposite side of the road. The at least one pair of locking plates (20) prevents the spare wheel (150) from undergoing directional movements.

The at least one pair of telescopic posts (80) is connected between the at least one pair of brackets (10) and the at least one pair of locking plates (20). Specifically, each telescopic post includes one end (not numbered) fixed to the one of the at least one pair of brackets (10) and another end (not numbered) fitted to the one of the at least one pair of locking plates (20). In an embodiment, the at least one pair of telescopic posts (80) is connected to the one of the at least one pair of locking plates (20) by a means (not numbered) for example bolt-nut, welding, riveting and the like. The spare wheel (150) on the at least one pair of brackets (10) are fitted to the at least one pair of telescopic posts (80) by nuts and bolts.

The at least one pair of telescopic posts (80) are capable of undergoing vertical movement and thus moving the spare wheel (150) therewith in any of upward and downward directions for any one of loading and unloading operations of the spare wheel (150). Specifically, the spare wheel (150) is moved upward during the loading operation and the spare wheel (150) is moved downward during the unloading operation. The at least one pair of telescopic posts (80) comprises any one of a collapsible gas stud (30) and a collapsible guide channel (40) as per two alternate embodiments of the present invention.

In an embodiment, the at least one pair of telescopic posts (80) comprises the collapsible gas stud (30) connected thereto as shown in figures 7 and 8. The collapsible gas stud (30) is capable of being pulled or pushed for vertically moving the spare wheel (150) in any of upward and downward directions for any one of loading and unloading operations of the spare wheel (150). In a preferred embodiment, the collapsible gas stud (30) includes a collapsible rod (25) that undergoes contraction and expansion during loading and unloading operation of the spare wheel (150). During unloading operation, the spare wheel (150) is unfastened/ unbolted from the at least one pair of brackets (10) and the at least one pair of telescopic posts (80) to rest on the at least one pair of locking plates (20), and then the collapsible gas stud (30) is pulled to move down the spare wheel (150) for removal in either side of the at least one pair of locking plates (20). During the loading operation, the collapsible gas stud (30) is pushed to move up the spare wheel (150) followed by fastening thereof to the at least one pair of brackets (10) and the at least one pair of telescopic posts (80).
In another embodiment, the at least one pair of telescopic posts (80) comprises the collapsible guide channel (40) as shown in figures 3-6. The collapsible guide channels (40) are fitted on the at least one pair of brackets (10) and are adapted to open up and expand or to contract and collapse. The collapsible guide channels (40) are interconnected by a supportive rod (45) fitted there between. Any one of the collapsible guide channel (40) is connected to a racked shaft (50). The racked shaft (50) is capable of undergoing vertical movement. The racked shaft (50) is connected to an operating lever (60) (refer figures 3-6) for causing vertical movement thereof.

The operating lever (60) is selected from any one of a manual lever, a power switch and a push button. The operating lever (60) is positioned on the tailgate in operable connection with the racked shaft (50). However, it is understood that the operating lever (60) can also be placed inside or outside of the vehicle body as per various alternate embodiments of the present invention. The operating lever (60) includes a handle (56) and a pinion (58) attached thereto. Specifically, the pinion (58) is operably connected to the racked shaft (50).

The operating lever (60), more specifically, the handle (56) of the operating lever (60) is capable of being actuated manually or automatically to rotate the pinion (58) in any one of clockwise and anti-clockwise directions. The pinion (58) upon rotation moves the racked shaft (50) vertically and thus the respective telescopic post connected thereto also moves vertically. The vertical movement of one telescopic post gets transferred to another telescopic post by the supportive rod (45) causing the collapsible guide channel (40) to collapse/expand thereby vertically moving the spare wheel (150) in any of upward and downward directions for any one of loading and unloading operations of the spare wheel (150). Thus, the downward movement of the at least one pair of telescopic posts (80) results in the lowering of the spare wheel (150) from a default position for unloading thereof and the upward movement of the at least one pair of telescopic posts (80) results in moving the spare wheel (150) upwards to the default mounting position for loading thereof.

Thus, during the unloading operation, user / person have to unfasten/unbolt the spare wheel (150) from the at least one pair of brackets (10) and the at least one pair of telescopic posts (80) to rest on the at least one pair of locking plates (20). Thereafter, the operating lever (60) is actuated causing the at least one pair of telescopic posts (80) together with the spare wheel (150) to travel vertical in the downward direction. In the lowered position of the at least one pair of telescopic posts (80), the spare wheel (150) is allowed to roll from the at least one pair of locking plates (20) on opposite side of the road to attain the unloaded position.

During the loading operation, the spare wheel/flat tyre (150) is rolled on to the at least one pair of locking plates (20) to get secured therein. Upon actuation of the operating lever (60), the at least one pair of telescopic posts (80) together with the spare wheel (150) travels vertical in the upward direction. The user / person have to fasten/bolt the spare wheel (150) with the at least one pair of brackets (10) and the at least one pair of telescopic posts (80) to attain final loaded position.

Advantages of the invention

1. The assembly (100) facilitates loading and unloading of the spare wheel (150) to and from a mounting position requiring very less effort.
2. The assembly (100) includes the collapsible mechanism to achieve tyre loading and unloading and thus prevents issue of rolling and bouncing back of the spare wheel (150) during unloading.
3. The assembly (100) facilitates locking/ supporting by the at least one pair of locking plates (20) for preventing falling/rolling down of the spare wheel (150) and thus preventing leg injury of user. Further, as the loading and unloading of the spare wheel (150) is carried in only one direction which is opposite to road side, hence rolling of the spare wheel (150) on road is prevented.
4. The assembly (100) facilitates easy removal of the spare wheel (150) from its location as well as to restore the puncture tyre.
5. The assembly (100) enables single person, ladies and senior citizen to replace the spare wheel (150) easily.
6. The assembly (100) achieves loading and unloading of the spare wheel (150) in a fully systematic process that eliminates the chance of the clothes getting dirty while replacing the spare wheel (150).

The foregoing descriptions of specific embodiments of the present invention have been presented for purposes of illustration and description. They are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the present invention to the precise forms disclosed, and obviously many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teaching. The embodiments were chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the present invention and its practical application, and to thereby enable others skilled in the art to best utilize the present invention and various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. It is understood that various omissions and substitutions of equivalents are contemplated as circumstances may suggest or render expedient, but such omissions and substitutions are intended to cover the application or implementation without departing from the spirit or scope of the claims of the present invention.
,CLAIMS:We claim:

1. A carrier assembly (100) for a spare wheel (150) of a vehicle, the carrier assembly (100) comprising:
• at least one pair of brackets (10) fixed on a tailgate of the vehicle, the at least one pair of brackets (10) adapted for mounting the spare wheel (150) thereon;
• at least one pair of locking plates (20) fitted on at least one pair of brackets (10), the at least one pair of locking plates (20) adapted for supporting and locking the spare wheel (150) in all directions on the at least one pair of brackets (10) thereby allowing the spare wheel (150) to roll on an opposite side of the road during an unloading operation; and
• at least one pair of telescopic posts (80) fitted between the at least one pair of brackets (10) and the at least one pair of locking plates (20), the at least one pair of telescopic posts (80) being capable of undergoing vertical movement moving the spare wheel (150) therewith in any of upward and downward directions for any one of loading and unloading operations thereof.

2. The carrier assembly (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the at least one pair of telescopic posts (80) comprises a collapsible gas stud (30) connected thereto for being pulled or pushed for vertically moving the spare wheel (150) in any of upward and downward directions for any one of loading and unloading operations of the spare wheel (150).

3. The carrier assembly (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the at least one pair of telescopic posts (80) comprises a collapsible guide channel (40) interconnected by a supportive rod (45) fitted there between, any one of the collapsible guide channel (40) connected to a racked shaft (50), the racked shaft (50) being connected to an operating lever (60), the operating lever (60) capable of being actuated manually or automatically to move the racked shaft (50) and thus the telescopic post connected thereto, the vertical movement of one telescopic post gets transferred to another telescopic post by the supportive rod (45) causing the collapsible guide channels (40) to collapse/expand thereby vertically moving the spare wheel (150) in any of upward and downward directions for any one of loading and unloading operations of the spare wheel (150).