GB2197831A

GB2197831A - Vehicle spare wheel carrier

Info

Publication number: GB2197831A
Application number: GB08727250A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Edward Francis Collins; Albert Cole
Original assignee: HENLYS
Current assignee: HENLYS
Priority date: 1986-11-24
Filing date: 1987-11-20
Publication date: 1988-06-02
Also published as: GB8727250D0; GB8628057D0

Abstract

The carrier 10 has a frame in a vertical plane attached by a hinge 11 at one end to the vehicle chassis. The frame has a bottom beam 14 extending across the back of the vehicle with a spring catch 15, 16 which latches at the end opposite the hinge 11. Yoke 22 along with pegs 20 define the wheel support means Hinge 11 permits the wheel to be pivotted away for access to the boot of the vehicle. <IMAGE>

Description

Vehicle Spare Wheel Carrier This invention concerns a vehicle spare wheel carrier.

Many vehicles carry a spare wheel horizontally beneath the chassis or in the boot, but it is often difficult to get out. Sometimes it is bolted onto the outside of the bodywork at the back, but then obstructs opening of a rear door, boot lid, or hatch. The present invention aims to reduce or overcome these problems.

Accordingly, the invention provides a spare wheel carrier for a vehicle which has a bottom crossbeam having thereon means for supporting a spare wheel, a hinge structure at one end of the crossbeam for mounting the carrier on a vehicle, structure mounted on the crossbeam extending upwards to a level corresponding to the centre of a supported wheel, and an engagement device at the end opposite to the hinge structure for engaging the carrier parallel with an outside wall of the vehicle.

The carrier is preferably mounted on the vehicle at the back, so that it can be swung out of the way when the rear door, boot lid or hatch is to be opened.

In order that the invention shall be clearly understood, an exemplary embodiment thereof will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Fig.l shows a spare wheel carrier according to the invention closed back; Fig.2 shows the carrier opened out; and Fig.3 shows an enlarged view of the hinge fitted to the chassis.

A spare wheel carrier 10, shown without the wheel, is mounted on a hinged connection 11 at the back of a vehicle 12. In Fig.l, the latter is shown with its offside rear light assembly demounted.

The carrier 10 has a main crossbeam 14 with the hinge connection 11 at one end, and a spring-loaded peg 15 at the other. The peg has a handle 16 which allows it to be lifted against the spring from its lower engagement position (as shown) to an upper withdrawn position in which it latches. The peg 15 is mounted in a bracket 17 (see Fig.2), which in the closed back position lies above a locking bracket 18 fixed to the vehicle and having a hole 19 which the peg 15 engages through.

Mounted on the crossbeam 14 are two pegs 20 projecting about 25 cms upon which a spare wheel can rest. Above the crossbeam 14 is an inverted V-shaped structure 21, with a yoke 22 at its apex. This is bored to receive a bolt which is arranged to be at the height of the axis of a wheel resting on the pegs 20. Thus the wheel is both supported and locked in position. The handle 16 is accessible behind the edge of the wheel.

The hinge connection 11 has a hinge bracket 25 fixedly mounted on the vehicle chassis 26, for absolute rigidity. A hinge pin 27 extends through a complementary hinge bore in the beam 14. The bracket 25 is mounted by bolts 28 as appropriate to the particular form of the chassis.

This arrangement allows easy and rapid mounting and demounting of a spare wheel. Used on a vehicle with a rear door or hatch, such as a 'Range Rover', the wheel on its carrier can be swung away to give clear access to the rear of the vehicle.

Various modifications are possible. For example, the structure 21 does not need to be V-shaped, but might be a single upright bar.

Claims

1. A spare wheel carrier for a vehicle which has a bottom crossbeam having thereon means for supporting a spare wheel, a hinge structure at one end of the crossbeam for mounting the carrier on a vehicle, structure mounted on the crossbeam extending upwards to a level corresponding to the centre of a supported wheel, and an engagement device at the end opposite to the hinge structure for engaging the carrier parallel with an outside wall of the vehicle.

2. A spare wheel carrier as claimed in claim 1 wherein the bottom crossbeam and structure extending upwards together form substantially an isosceles triangle.

3. A spare wheel carrier as claimed in claim 1 or 2 wherein the hinge structure cooperates with further structure mounted directly on the vehicle chassis.

4. A spare wheel carrier as claimed in claim 3 wherein the fixing of the further structure to the chassis is accessed by removal of the rear light lens assembly of the vehicle.

5. A spare wheel carrier as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the engagement device includes a spring loaded catch.

6. A spare wheel carrier substantially as herein described with reference to the drawings.